Centre, WHO, and Jhpiego Host National Consultation to Strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Reforms
Three-day Delhi workshop focuses on policy priorities, education quality, and workforce development as India advances nursing governance under the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission.
To strengthen policy dialogue and advance reforms in the nursing and midwifery sector, the union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Jhpiego, convened a three-day National Consultation and Experience Sharing Workshop on nursing policy priorities and best practices in India in Delhi from Wednesday.
The Ministry noted that the consultation aimed to examine the ongoing initiatives, identify emerging challenges, and share innovative models to strengthen nursing governance, education, and workforce management, aligning with India's health sector priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the meeting, participants deliberated on policy priorities such as equitable workforce distribution, quality assurance in education and training institutions, leadership development, and career progression opportunities for nursing professionals.
They emphasised the importance of aligning national nursing strategies with the findings of the State of the World's Nursing 2025 Report and leveraging international collaborations to advance capacity-building and best practices.
Vinod Kumar Paul, Member Health, Niti Aayog, expressed concern over the quality of the nursing training, pointing out that this remains a critical area of focus. To ensure high standards of care and professional excellence, he emphasized the need for reforms in nursing education, calling for a greater emphasis on in-service training and skill enhancement.
Addressing the gathering, Punya Salila Srivastava, union Health Secretary, highlighted recent reforms by India to boost the nursing ecosystem. These amendments included, establishment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC), the adoption of competency-based curricula, and initiatives to modernize regulatory frameworks, she noted.
Dr. Payden, WHO Representative to India, lauded the country's significant progress in advancing the nursing and midwifery sector. "The projected decline in the shortage of nurses in the WHO South-East Asia Region by 2030 can be largely attributed to the advancements and policy initiatives undertaken by India," she said.
Srivastava further underscored that the best practices emerging from each state during the workshop should serve as guiding inputs for national policy formulation, and other states should take note of these models for wider replication and improvement of the nursing sector across the country.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, senior government officials, regulators, nursing educators, professional associations, and development partners from across the country.