Maharashtra to open 10 new BSc Nursing colleges, expand seats in 13 existing ones

The Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of 10 new government BSc Nursing colleges and expansion of the intake capacity of existing nursing colleges to increase the availability of trained nurses in the state. The decision was taken by the Medical Education Department under the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Under the decision, eight government GNM diploma nursing colleges will be upgraded to BSc Nursing colleges, while the annual intake of five existing BSc Nursing colleges will be increased from 50 to 100 seats. The government will also establish new BSc Nursing colleges with an intake capacity of 100 students each.

The Maharashtra government said the expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand for trained nurses in government and private healthcare institutions and strengthening healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas.

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8 GNM Colleges to Get BSc Nursing Upgrade

The eight GNM diploma nursing colleges that will be upgraded are located at GT and St George's hospitals in Mumbai, Dhule, Solapur, Ambajogai, Akola, Nagpur and Sangli.

Each upgraded college will have an intake capacity of 100 BSc Nursing students. According to the government, Rs 7 crore each will be provided to these eight colleges under a centrally sponsored scheme.

BSc Nursing colleges seats doubled

The intake capacity of operational BSc Nursing colleges in Mumbai, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune and Nanded will be increased from 50 to 100 seats.

The government has also approved new BSc Nursing colleges in Chandrapur, Sindhudurg, Yavatmal, Alibag in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Amravati, Dharashiv and Gadchiroli.

Each of the new colleges will have an intake capacity of 100 students.

Rs 558.71 crore approved for expansion

The state government has approved a total expenditure of Rs 558.71 crore for upgrading GNM colleges, increasing the intake capacity of existing BSc Nursing colleges and establishing new colleges.

Of this, Rs 491.91 crore will be provided from the state budget, excluding the central government contribution. The funds will be released in phases over a period of four years.

An annual expenditure of approximately Rs 12.58 crore has also been approved for the three initiatives.

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Over 2.17 lakh nurses registered in Maharashtra

According to the state government, 2,17,640 nurses are currently registered in Maharashtra. The government said the availability of trained nurses is as important as hospitals, medicines and modern medical equipment for strengthening healthcare delivery.

The department will create sanctioned posts as required, subject to approval from the High-Level Secretarial Committee. Vacant posts will be filled according to the applicable recruitment rules.

The Maharashtra government said the expansion of nursing education will help increase the availability of trained nursing professionals across the state and strengthen healthcare services in rural and remote areas.