Why in news?
The Union Government has finalised National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill 2020 to replace the Indian Nursing Council Act 1947.
What is the current situation?
- At present, there are different undergraduate nursing examinations conducted by different medical institutes.
- This requires an aspirant to keep track of these throughout the year.
What would be the purpose of the Commission?
- The draft Bill replaces the Indian Nursing Council with a new body called National Nursing and Midwifery Commission.
- This body would have representatives of the Centre and the states.
- It would frame policies and regulate standards for the governance of nursing and midwifery education and institutions.
- It would provide standards for nursing and midwifery faculty and clinical facility in teaching institutions.
- It would provide basic standards of education, physical and instructional facilities, training, research, maximum tuition fee payable in respect of various categories.
- It would frame policies and codes to ensure observance of professional ethics in nursing and midwifery profession.
- Similar to the National Medical Commission, the proposed commission would have different boards to regulate UG and PG education.
- It will asses and rate different institutions offering courses.
What are the other proposals?
- It proposes a common entrance test for undergraduate nursing courses that would integrate the system.
- It also proposes a National Exit test for the final year of the nursing or midwifery course, to ensure uniform quality.
- Every nurse and midwife would have to register with the state boards.
- The Bill will likely vest in the board the power to decide course structure, fee, etc.,
- A national register would be maintained to track all qualified and practising nursing professionals.
- It proposes a temporary licence for foreign nationals who are qualified nurses and midwives to practice in India.
Source: Financial Express, Economic Times
