THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Inspection by the Nursing Council to renew the affiliation of nursing colleges will begin soon. There will be no members of the council on the inspection committee. The council will take the final decision on the report submitted by the teachers of various colleges.

Kerala Kaumudi had reported that the approval of new colleges and increase in seats was in crisis after the inspection was stopped. There was a crisis when the members came against the stand of minister Veena George that the members do not have to go for the inspection. With the decision to resume the inspection, a temporary solution has been found for the dispute between the minister and the council members that has been going on for months.

The management had also complained to the government that it was illegal for the council members to come for inspection. Then the minister called a meeting of the council members and took the stand that there should be no illegal inspection. However, the members did not accept it. After that, the health department issued an order temporarily stopping the inspection of nursing colleges. As this became a crisis for this year's nursing admission, the council had given affiliation with conditions to invite applications and approve the prospectus. Based on this, the colleges accepted the application. Full affiliation for next year is required to start processes including admission. Apart from the renewal of affiliation to existing colleges, applications for increasing seats in many colleges and approval of new colleges are before the council. Inspection by the Nursing Council is necessary to settle the applications of the managements who are waiting for permission after increasing infrastructure facilities and building colleges by spending lakhs. It is reported that the council members reached a consensus at this stage.

Nursing education must move forward. There will be more clarity as soon as the guidelines are ready.
-Usha Devi P
President, Kerala Nursing Council