Acknowledging the importance of nursing and allied health science in laying a strong foundation for public health delivery system of the government, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Punya Salila Srivastava said the Central government has set an ambitious plan to create one lakh quality healthcare professionals over the next five years.

Participating in the 12th convocation ceremony of nursing and allied health science courses of the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research here, the Union Health Secretary said nursing and allied health science are the pillars of a strong public health delivery mechanism. They are the foundation for good public health service delivery system, she added.

Stating that the government has set an ambitious plan to create one lakh quality healthcare professionals over the next five years, she expressed confidence that Jipmer would continue to serve as a national model and centre of excellence in healthcare education and training.

The measures, such as enactment of National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, are a reflection of the government’s firm belief that quality healthcare delivery depended not only on doctors, but equally on skilled nursing and allied health professionals, Ms. Srivastava noted.

Urging the graduates to commit themselves to nation building and service, the Health Secretary said healthcare professionals have a profound role in shaping the future of the nation. Their work would directly contribute to the strengthening of country’s public health system, she added.

Describing country’s healthcare workers as “best ambassadors” of India across the world, she said the Union government has entered into migration and mobility agreements with countries such as the UK, France and Italy to facilitate international opportunities for Indian healthcare professionals.

Elaborating on the government’s public health vision guided by the National Health Policy 2017, she said the emphasis was on preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative healthcare. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Health and Wellness Centres have expanded significantly across the country with over 1.8 lakh centres now functioning with the purpose of providing comprehensive primary healthcare services, including screening and management of non-communicable diseases, she said.

Underlining the importance of maintaining quality standards through Indian Public Health Standards and National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), she said around 64,000 public health facilities across the country have now achieved NQAS certificate. She also stressed upon the need for strengthening the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory network and integrated disease surveillance systems across the country. 

Director of Jipmer Vir Singh Negi in his address said the 476-bed medical college in Karaikal would be ready by July next year. Various other infrastructure projects worth around ₹119 crore are at various stages, he said. Among others who spoke were Nitin M. Nagarkar, the former Director of AIIMS, Raipur, who is Member of Institute Body of Jipmer and Chairperson of Standing Academic Committee of the institution.

A total of 320 students from nursing and allied health science courses were awarded degrees at the convocation.