‘The new age challenges are to be met jointly by healthcare industry and educational institutes’

EHM News Bureau - Mumbai

“Strategic direction for strengthening nursing services needs urgent intervention and support on five key areas i.e. human resource planning and capacity building, evidence based practice, management of personnel, education and leadership,” said T Dileep Kumar, president, Indian Nursing Council and Nursing Adviser to the government, while delivering the key note address at the ‘Nursing Conclave’ organised in the city last month.

The theme of the conference was “Gearing for the new age with a new nursing vision.”

It was for the first time that a conference for the nurses was held in the country, which saw the participation of more than 250 nursing managers, public health officials, nursing superintendants, to deliberate on issues related to the nursing profession. The six sessions of the conference were nursing management, nursing manager-A new service leader, a brand builder, A new challenge to HR and nursing heads, healthy nurse ensures health for patients, emerging dimensions in nursing, new learning-legal, technology and government experience. The sessions threw light on an array of issues such as working conditions, career options for nurses in India and abroad, soft skills, fitness and health needs, legalities, service leadership and quality optimisation, role of the nursing manager as a critical player in the management of healthcare business.

Vinoo Hinduja, member, board of management and secretary general at PD Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre said, “Nursing as a profession has evolved over the years and so has the role of nurses. It has changed from being just a caretaker and assisting the doctors to providing complete care and total value to the patient’s experience at a hospital.”

“A modern nursing professional is required to know beyond administering medicines and should be aware of customer needs, soft skills and the new age working conditions and should always continue to be the modern day ‘Florence Nightingale’. Nursing Conclave 2005 is a great platform for the budding talent to garner knowledge from the experiences shared by the recognised professionals of the industry” he added.

Pramod Lele, CEO, PD Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre while delivering the theme address said, “Nursing has evolved into highly specialised service today and is the backbone of the hospital industry. Nursing has derived its growth through the ongoing efforts of various nursing bodies and professionals in clinical areas and nursing education.”

K Ravi, MD of Pinnacle Health Care, said, “India is witnessing a dramatic change in the health industry, especially nursing. The Indian nurse is emerging as a professional nursing manager and customer custodian, creating the brand difference to the hospital where she works. This Conclave will put the wheel of action in motion for the nursing fraternity so that the potential of Indian nursing is used creatively in the nation’s progress and the overall changing needs of the health care industry. Truly speaking, Indian Nursing has become the global ambassadors of Indian healthcare industry.”

Speaking about the academics involved in nursing, Mrs A Joykutty, principal, LT College of Nursing SNDT Women’s University said, “The new age challenges are to be met jointly by the healthcare industry and the educational institutes. This conclaves is one such joint venture where the practising professionals, nursing managers and the eminent teachers have come together.”

The arrival of branded hospitals, new specialities and new categories of diseases having a social impact, changing life styles of customers, emerging medico legal environment, medical and IT technology revolution are demanding a multi tasking, versatile, professionally competent new age nurse. These new knowledge and skill needs are to be addressed and enhancement opportunities are to be provided for. Other wise the health care industry might develop in a lopsided manner,” said an expert.

The conference was organised by Pinnacle Healthcare in association with Maharashtra Nursing Council, PD Hinduja Hospital, Trained Nursing Association of India (Maharashtra) and Association Management Professionals, HR specialists, Technology gurus and educationalists of the industry. Ranjit Kamble, honorable minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development and Water Supply and Sanitation, government of Maharashtra had inaugurated the conference.