In view of the severe shortage of trained nurses and other paramedical staff in various disciplines in the country, the Union Health Ministry has proposed several schemes that envisage opening of new nursing and paramedical schools in the backward, un-served districts of the country that do not have a school. The ministry's focus on the backward and un-served districts is aimed at removing the regional imbalances in the availability of nurses and paramedical staff.

Under the scheme, the ministry proposes to establish a National Institute of Paramedical Sciences in Delhi. Costs and other nitty-gritties of the project are being worked out by the ministry. The ministry is awaiting the mandatory approval from the cabinet to implement the project.

Senior officials in the ministry said that there is an estimated gap of 4 lakh General Nurse Midwives (GNMs) and1 lakh Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) in the country at present. The ministry's proposals in this regard are aimed to increase the availability of nursing and paramedical personnel in the country.

This will add a capacity for training of 22, 000 nurses annually. Since the schools are proposed in backward areas, this will also help to bridge the regional imbalances in the availability of nurses. A scheme for faculty development for nursing schools and colleges has also been finalized to ensure smooth functioning of nursing schools and colleges.

Similarly, there is also a severe shortage of paramedical staff in various disciplines in the country. To bridge this gap, a new scheme for strengthening of paramedical services is being commenced. The programme will include the establishment of a National Institute of Paramedical Sciences in Delhi, which will commence new paramedical courses with a focus on PG courses as well as capacity building of paramedics working in government through in-service training, etc.

Establishment of Regional Institutes Of Paramedical Sciences which will commence new paramedical courses and act as a centre for continuing medical education for various categories of technical and non-technical personnel. There will be a provision of a one time grant for commencement of new courses/ enhancing capacity in Para Medical Sciences in Government Medical Colleges. This will add an annual capacity for training of 15,000 paramedical staff annually.