Question : Shortage of Nurses

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is a shortage of trained nurses in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the present nurse-patient ratio in the country;

(c) the total number of Nursing Diploma and Nursing Colleges functioning in the country and the number of students getting training in them, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to open more such educational institutions to impart training across the country, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the time by which the said institutions are likely to be opened?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b): As per INC records, there are around 27.8 lakh nursing personnel registered in the country as on 31-12-2015. Assuming 60% availability in the case of RN&RM and 80% availability in the case of ANM/LHV, it is estimated that around 18.4 lakh nursing personnel are available for active services, which gives a Nurse-Population ratio of about 1:695 (Population taken as 128 Crores). There are around 8000 Nursing Institutes in the country producing about 3 lakh nursing personnel annually, to meet the requirement of nursing personnel in the country.

(c): The number of nursing schools and colleges in the country is enclosed at Annexure-I.

(d) & (e): Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Strengthening/upgradation of Nursing Services (ANM/GNM), the Government has approved 128 ANM and 137 GNM Schools to be set up in the country. The details are enclosed as Annexure – II.
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