Nurses are the backbone of healthcare System: Dr. Akanksha Ranjan

New Delhi: Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, and Jhpiego, successfully inaugurated Day 1 of the two-day Roundtable on ‘Strengthening the Nursing Workforce in India and Australia: Building Collaborative Pathways for a Resilient and Skilled Nursing Workforce Aligned with the SDGs’.

The dialogue aimed to foster deeper cooperation, share best practices, and develop joint pathways to build a resilient, future-ready nursing workforce aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Akanksha Ranjan, Deputy Secretary (Nursing & Dental), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, noted that the roundtable is taking place at an opportune moment, coming just after the three-day National Strategic Meeting that discussed the future direction of nursing policy in India. She reiterated that “nurses are the backbone of healthcare” and emphasized the need to build a more resilient and competency-based nursing workforce.

Ms. Ranjan also highlighted that while 2.9 million nurses serve globally, the shortage stands at 4.5 million, creating significant global demand and opening pathways for ethical and well-governed nurse migration. Furthermore, she highlighted that India–Australia cooperation offers a valuable platform to jointly advance nursing education standards, expand workforce pathways, and promote ethical mobility, noting that bilateral collaboration can help both nations address emerging health system challenges more effectively.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Deepika Khakha, Nursing Advisor, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stated that “Nurses remain the heartbeat of the healthcare system globally.” She emphasized that cross-learning is at the core of this roundtable, allowing India and Australia to jointly anticipate and address future Healthcare challenges.

Highlighting the Progress in Nursing Healthcare System, she stated that,  India’s 3.5 million-strong nursing workforce continues to serve a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, supported by a robust ecosystem of more than 5,000 nursing institutes offering multiple nursing programs. She informed participants that the Government of India is significantly investing in the health workforce, including the establishment of 157 new nursing institutions in future.

She also emphasized that, investing in faculty development creates a powerful cascade effect across the entire nursing ecosystem. She noted that when faculty are strengthened, the benefits naturally percolate down to students—who will ultimately form India’s future-ready and job-ready nursing workforce.

Dr. Khakha highlighted that the modernization of the nursing curriculum under the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act, 2023 is a transformative step toward improving the quality, competency, and equitable distribution of nursing professionals across the country. She underscored that competency-based education, digital learning platforms, enhanced clinical exposure, continuous professional development, modern regulatory frameworks, and strong leadership training will remain key pillars in advancing the quality of India’s nursing workforce.

Dr. Khakha also stated that this roundtable exemplifies the shared commitment and collaborative spirit between India and Australia. Such partnerships, she remarked, are vital for exchanging innovations, strengthening workforce planning, and aligning collective efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals. She concluded, reaffirming that collaboration and learning across borders are indispensable for shaping a resilient and future-ready nursing workforce.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Karen Strickland, Executive Dean, Edith Cowan University, Australia, commended the joint efforts of both countries in advancing nursing education and practice. She also emphasized that global collaboration is critical in preparing nurses who can navigate evolving healthcare demands and adopt emerging technologies.

Prof. Strickland noted that Australia and India share a long-standing partnership in nursing education, and this roundtable provides a valuable platform for sharing innovations, research insights, and best practices that can strengthen workforce capacity in both nations.

Dr. Kamlesh Lalchandani, Deputy Country Director, Jhpiego, also addressed the participants, highlighting Jhpiego’s continued partnership with the Government of India in strengthening nursing and midwifery systems. He emphasized the importance of evidence-based practice, innovation, and capacity building in shaping a responsive and resilient nursing workforce and strides made by India in the last decade in healthcare Delivery System.

The discussions identified priority areas for bilateral collaboration, including faculty development, joint research, exchange programmes, and digital learning innovations.

The workshop brought together senior officials from central and state governments, nursing leaders, academic experts and development partners, and served as a platform to advance the national agenda on nursing and midwifery reforms.