Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KM/RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Jan 18: India is not availing the service of nursing graduates and post-graduates to the maximum as the fraternity migrates to European and other countries, as soon as they complete their formal education, lamented Dr M Ramgopal Shetty, founder secretary of Dr MV Shetty Memorial Trust, here on Thursday January 17. 

He was delivering the presidential address at the South Zone Nursing Conference held at TMA Pai International Convention Centre, in the city. 

It is commendable that the health care facilities located in all over the globe are enjoying the superior quality of Indian nurses, but, it is also unfortunate that India is not the privileged class in this regard. Hence, it is always advisable that nursing graduates and post-graduates serve in the health care facilities in the home country at least for two years, so that India can better utilize the manpower and work force of nurses, he added. 

India is emerging as a potential nursing destination with its booming economy. It is also true that the bond between nurses and patients is unbreakable. The role played by nurses is very vital as it is nurses who follow up the prescription of doctors.

If the migration remains unabated, then it would create a vacuum especially in government hospitals. It also gives rise to the undesirable development that hospitals would be deprived of nurses, he expressed his deep concern. 

Reiterating the Continuous Nursing Education (CNE), he advised that nurses should attend CNEs, especially final year students, as it extends the horizon of knowledge. 

Manju Vatsa, principal, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) delivered the keynote address on the occasion. 

The conference was inaugurated by Dr HS Ballal, vice-chancellor, Manipal University , Manipal.

Faculty members and students of Nursing were present on the occasion.