THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After Covid period, nurses in Kerala are going abroad to Europe and Gulf countries in search of huge salaries and high standards of living, putting government and private hospitals in a difficult situation.

The salary of nurses abroad is up to Rs 3 lakh. 23,000 nurses have left in nine months. It will be 35,000 by December. With this, experts warn that the shortage of nurses in government and private hospitals will worsen. Earlier, a maximum of 15,000 nurses went abroad annually. Most of them get jobs by going on visitor visa.

Recently, a nurse at Sreechitra Institute, a central government institution in Thiruvananthapuram, resigned from her job and went to America.

As the shortage worsens, a private hospital in Kollam has called for nurses offering a basic salary of Rs 35,000.

Nursing education should be made widespread

Former President of IMA Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. John Panicker points out that if general and B.Sc nursing studies are not made widespread in the government and private sector, hospitals will have to be closed without nurses within two years.

Those who have studied general and BSc nursing have job opportunities abroad even if they have no work experience. They are recruited for the post of 'care giver'. Many countries have also begun phasing out qualifying tests such as IELTS for English proficiency. Those who pass the exams in the country of employment and gain work experience there can become staff nurses at twice the salary here.

There are many opportunities that come through government agencies like NORKA and ODEPC. Japan and Germany have joined hands with state governments to transport nurses. Countries like Italy, Holland, Israel and Malta are also calling for nurses in Kerala.

Currently, 6,000-7,000 vacancies are available for nurses in the private sector in Kerala. As most of the graduates go abroad, the shortage of nurses are not resolved. With the advent of BSc Nursing, experts suggest that general nursing courses should be made wdespread. Nursing course should be started in taluk hospitals in government sector and 30-50 bed hospitals in private sector.

The situation in Kerala

Those graduating in the year ........9841

B.Sc Nurses...................6930

General Nurses............................2911

Total Study Centers ...................259

Colleges of Nursing.....................130

Nursing Schools........................129