The number of seats in five BMC-run nursing colleges in the city has doubled — from 250 to 500 —from this academic year. This could help reduce the shortfall of nurses in city’s public hospitals.
“The Maharashtra Nursing Council has approved the increase in seats. At KEM Hospital, we will have 150 seats instead of 80,” said Dr Sanjay Oak, dean of KEM Hospital and director of medical education.
The nursing colleges of Sion Hospital and BYL Nair Hospital will have 100 seats. Seats at the nursing colleges at Cooper and Bhagwati Hospital have also increased. “The seats will increase from this September. We have approved an increase in seats for the 18-month auxiliary nursing and midwifery diploma and the three-year general nursing and midwifery diploma,” said Dr D.N. Lanjewar, administrator, Maharashtra Nursing Council.
Hospitals should have at least one nurse for every six patients in general wards of hospitals and two nurses for three patients in Intensive Care Units.
In Mumbai, most public hospitals have about five nurses in general wards with 100 patients. “The increase in seats will lead to more nursing assistants available to train at these hospitals,” added Oak.
{{/usCountry}}In Mumbai, most public hospitals have about five nurses in general wards with 100 patients. “The increase in seats will lead to more nursing assistants available to train at these hospitals,” added Oak.
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