Dakshina Kannada MP, Capt Brijesh Chowta, has called for the introduction of a mandatory internship program for nursing students, akin to the one already in place for MBBS graduates. In his appeal to the government during a Lok Sabha session under Rule 377, he urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to direct the Nursing Council of India to implement this policy change, emphasizing its potential to strengthen the healthcare system.
Capt Chowta highlighted the importance of practical training in medical education, arguing that a structured internship would enhance the hands-on skills of nursing graduates. This initiative, he suggested, would also ensure the equitable deployment of nursing professionals across government hospitals, particularly in rural and underserved regions. The proposed internship would address the critical gap in healthcare delivery by ensuring well-trained nurses are available where they are most needed.
He further noted the shortage of nursing staff at Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru as an example of a larger national issue affecting government hospitals and rural healthcare facilities. Capt Chowta stressed that the introduction of a mandatory nursing internship program would not only provide essential clinical experience for nursing students but also alleviate the nationwide shortage of trained professionals.
The MP concluded that this proposal could lead to a long-term transformation in nursing education and strengthen India’s public healthcare system, ensuring quality medical care for all citizens.
Read also: