INDIA'S NURSES' SHORTAGE: FINDING CURE

The acute scarcity of nurses is burdening India's healthcare system, risking patient care outcomes. Explore the way forward.

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India with around 140 crore people in the country, presently faces a shortage of nursing personnel. The problem has worsened in the last few years. The already stretched-out healthcare sector, also threatens to lead to a decline in the quality of care being provided.

The latest data from the National Health Profile 2022 and a report by FICCI and KPMG indicate that India is facing the worst shortage of nurses in recent years. The country's current capacity of allied healthcare professionals is estimated to be around 57.5 lakhs to 58 lakhs.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there should be three nurses per 1,000 population. However, the current figure in India stands at 1.7 nurses per 1,000 population. India currently falls short of at least 43 lakh nurses at present. The shortage is pronounced when compared to developed nations who have up to seven nurses for every 1,000 people.

The nursing deficit in India is more than simply a numbers game. It is a complicated issue influenced by elements such as poor professional and socioeconomic position, gender difficulties, and an uncontrolled private sector. Nurses are routinely underpaid, overworked, and mistreated. These obstacles, along with low pay, an increasing workload, low social standing, and restricted career options, frequently force nurses to seek employment in other countries or quit the profession, resulting in a shortage of trained nurses.