In today’s time specialization is not confined to medical fields alone. Para Medical fields are also undergoing specialization. A general nursing study is not sufficient now. Specialization in nursing in various medical fields is also required. Those who had completed nursing studies have left Kerala to many foreign countries like Germany many years ago. Their service has given great reputation for nurses from Kerala.

No government were able to take advantage of this. Nursing studies remained under government sector for many years. The number of government nursing colleges were also not increased. When plans were underway to begin nursing schools under private ownership, it was met with strong resistance from student organizations.

Private nursing colleges were begun only after Medical Colleges were allowed in the private sector.

Every year 9841 nurses pass out from different colleges in Kerala. The government must see to it that this number is increased to at least three times. After the Covid pandemic many countries are using a higher share of their GDP to strengthen their health sector. Thus, there will be a huge rise in employment opportunities in the health sector.

The government must expand nursing studies further in the state by keeping this foresight in mind. This newspaper has reported that after Covid, 23,000 nurses have left Kerala. These nurses are flying to Europe and Gulf countries in the hope of getting a better standard of life. There is no reason to blame them for that.

Firstly, the conditions of wages and perks are not attractive here. Moreover, it is very low when compared to foreign countries. Many of those who have taken student loans are struggling to meet their life expenses and pay back the loans. As there is a shortage of nurses, the government must consider increasing their salaries and other benefits. The government must also make sure their other demands are also met.

If the government do not expand nursing studies in the government and private sector, then within two years many hospitals must be shut down because of lack of nurses. This warning comes from Dr. John Panicker, who is the former President of IMA Thiruvananthapuram.

Therefore, more nursing courses must begin in Thaluk hospitals in the government sector and hospitals with 30-50 beds in the private sector.

There are not many seats in Kerala for Physiotherapy and other Paramedical courses forcing the students to go and study in other states. This must also change.

As the government has signed an agreement with Britain to make immigration for health sector professionals easier to that country, big changes are necessary.