Female nursing cadre to be increased to 50,000

Disna Mudalige

The female nursing cadre will be increased to 50,000 within the next few years to meet the country's requirements, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

The minister made these comments at a ceremony in Polonnaruwa to open the new Open University building constructed by the Higher Education Ministry at a cost of Rs 55 million.

He said that the ministry has taken up this challenge understanding that the country's hospital services are being carried out with a shortage of 25,000 female nurses.

Sirisena observed that even though there is a huge demand in the world for Sri Lankan nurses, the country has been unable to train female nurses to cater to this demand.

He also reminded that there were only 16,000 female nurses when he assumed duties as the health minister about one and half year ago. This number has now increased to 25,000 fulfilling half the requirement of the country.

He observed that Sri Lanka cannot send nurses overseas as the local hospital services would collapse. He noted that the courses to train nurses should be further increased.

He also said that discussions are on with the Higher Education Ministry to offer a Science degree to nursing officers. He added that a diploma certificate is being offered to them at present replacing the nursing certificate given after the completion of their training.

Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake, Social Services Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Suriyarachchi and North Central Province Health Minister Pesala Jayaratne also participated in the event.