Cabinet approves setting up of new Nursing Colleges

Tags: National National News

The cabinet approved setting up of 157 new nursing colleges in co-location with existing medical colleges and the total cost of the project would be Rs 1,570 crore.

An Overview of the News

• The objective of establishing these nursing colleges is toboost the number of nursing professionals and to provide quality, affordable and equitable nursing education in India.

• Co-location of Nursing Colleges with existing Medical Colleges will allow optimum utilisation of existing infrastructure, skill laboratories, clinical facilities and faculty.

• The initiative aims to address the geographical and rural-urban imbalance in the healthcare sector and will help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• The government plans to complete the project within the next two yearsand has laid out detailed timelines for each phase of planning and execution.

• The Empowered Committee will monitor the progress of the work.

• The services of Indian nurses are recognized abroad, and it is important to bring Indian nursing education at par with global standards to facilitate their mobility and better job opportunities.

About the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• It is a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

• The goals aim to tackle global issues such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality and climate change.

• Goals include improving access to education, healthcare, clean water and affordable and clean energy.

• The SDGs also seek to promote economic growth, reduce inequalities, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and build strong institutions for peace and justice.

About Union Cabinet

• It is the highest decision-making bodyof the executive branch of the Government of India.

• It consists of the prime minister, who is the head of the cabinet, and other cabinet ministers who are responsible for various departments and ministries.

• The cabinet is responsible for making important policy decisions and making laws.

• The cabinet is appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

• The size of the cabinet is determined by the Prime Minister, but it cannot exceed 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.