Number of State-run nursing colleges doubled in West Bengal

In a decision that will go a long way in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, West Bengal has doubled the number of nursing colleges run by the State Government. So far the State had nine such colleges — f

In a decision that will go a long way in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, West Bengal has doubled the number of nursing colleges run by the State Government. So far the State had nine such colleges — five in Kolkata and four in other districts — and now nine more are being set up immediately. Healthcare professionals have time and again reiterated that availability of nurses — more than that of doctors — were essential in fighting a pandemic and that their shortage would hit a hospital harder than anything else. “At present there is a dearth of nursing personnel in the State. To get more trained B.Sc./M.Sc. nursing personnel for the purpose of providing better medical care, nine new colleges are to be established using available infrastructures of concerned sub-divisional hospitals/district hospitals/medical colleges and hospitals,” a State Government order, dated April 29, said.