New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) Nurses serve as the essential foundation of the healthcare system, stated officials from the Health Ministry on Monday, as they discussed India's advancements in the Nursing Healthcare System.

During a two-day roundtable focused on enhancing the nursing workforce in both India and Australia, officials exchanged insights on best practices.

The event, organized by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in partnership with Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, and Jhpiego, aimed to promote stronger collaboration to develop a resilient, future-oriented nursing workforce that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Nurses are the cornerstone of healthcare,” emphasized Akanksha Ranjan, Deputy Secretary (Nursing and Dental) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, underlining the necessity of cultivating a more resilient and competency-driven nursing workforce.

Ranjan pointed out the existing gap in the global nursing workforce.

“With 2.9 million nurses currently working worldwide, there exists a shortage of 4.5 million, leading to a significant global demand and creating opportunities for ethical and well-regulated nurse migration,” the expert noted.

“Nurses are the heartbeat of the global healthcare system,” added Dr. Deepika Khakha, Nursing Advisor at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health.

She highlighted the advancements in the Nursing Healthcare System, stating that “India’s nursing workforce, which numbers 3.5 million, continues to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing healthcare environment, backed by a strong network of over 5,000 nursing institutions offering diverse nursing programs.”

Moreover, she reported that the government is making significant investments in the health workforce, which includes the establishment of 157 new nursing institutions and the modernization of the nursing curriculum under the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act, 2023.

“Key pillars for enhancing the quality of India’s nursing workforce will include competency-based education, digital learning platforms, increased clinical exposure, ongoing professional development, modern regulatory frameworks, and robust leadership training,” she explained.

The discussions also pinpointed priority sectors for bilateral collaboration, such as faculty development, joint research, exchange programs, and innovations in digital learning.