Health Minister tables National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI : Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday introduced ‘The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha. The new Bill seeks to set up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission by replacing the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. The Bill proposes a common entrance test, mandatory registration and a temporary licence for foreign nationals who are qualified nurses and midwives to practise in India.

The bill provides for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals. It also has provisions for assessment of institutions, maintenance of a national register, state register and creation of a system to improve access, research and development and adoption of latest scientific advancement.

Along with the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023, Mandaviya also introduced ‘ The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023 ’ in the Lower House of Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session.

National Nursing and Midwifery Commission: Composition

The head office of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission will be at New Delhi and it will consist of 29 members – a chairperson, 16 ex officio members and 12 members.

Officials from health ministry, defence ministry, National Medical Commission (NMC) will be among 16 ex officio members. Among 12 members of commission, there will be six nursing members, four midwifery members, one person from charitable institutions engaged in the field of nursing and midwifery and a person of eminence to be appointed by the central Government.

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The chairperson and all members of the commission will make a declaration of their assets and liabilities at the time of entering upon the office and at the time of demitting office. They will also declare their professional and commercial engagement or involvement which will be published on the website of the commission.

The commission will meet at least once in every quarter at such time and place as may be appointed by the chairperson. This year, no budget was allocated for the Indian Nursing Council (INC) which will be replaced by new commission.

Autonomous boards of National Nursing and Midwifery Commission

There will be three autonomous boards of the commission:

• Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Board

• Nursing and Midwifery Assessment and Rating Board

• Nursing and Midwifery Ethics and Registration Board

The Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Board will determine the minimum requirements and standards of nursing and midwifery education and examination at UG and PG level and postgraduate level. It will also develop a dynamic competency based curriculum for both UG and PG courses. Along with training of faculty members for teaching, it will specify norms for compulsory annual disclosures, clinical facilities, faculty by nursing and midwifery institutions.

The Nursing and Midwifery Assessment and Rating Board will determine the procedure for assessing and rating the nursing and midwifery institutions for their compliance with relevant regulations. It will grant permission for establishment of a new nursing and midwifery institution; to start any postgraduate level or higher qualification course and to increase the number of seats. It will also conduct inspections of nursing and midwifery institutions for assessing and rating and make the assessment and rating reports available on its website at regular intervals. The board will also decide on the withdrawal of recognition and de-recognition of degrees.

The Nursing and Midwifery Ethics and Registration Board will maintain the national register for all registered professionals, It will approve or reject applications for registration of professionals. It will also regulate professional conduct and promote nursing and midwifery ethics.

Except the Nursing and Midwifery Ethics and Registration Board, the other two boards will be assisted by advisory committees consisting of experts for the efficient discharge of their functions. Every autonomous board will meet at least once in a month.

Functions of National Nursing and Midwifery Commission

The commission will frame policies and regulate standards for the governance of nursing and midwifery education and training and regulate nursing and midwifery institutions, researches, professionals and associates. It will provide a uniform mechanism for admission into the nursing and midwifery institutions.

The Central Government shall constitute an advisory body to be known as the Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Council through which the states and union territories may raise their concerns and put forward views before the commission. The council will meet at least once a year and advise the commission on measures “to enhance equitable access to nursing and midwifery education, services, training and research.”

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“Every state government shall, within one year from the commencement of this Act, by notification, constitute a State Nursing and Midwifery Commission,” said the bill as introduced in Lower House of Parliament.

Nursing and midwifery registrations

Any person having a recognised nursing and midwifery qualification will have his name and qualifications enrolled in the national register or the state register for nursing and midwifery professionals. Person who is enrolled in the national register or state register will be allowed to practice nursing or midwifery as a qualified nursing or midwifery professional or nursing or midwifery associate.

A foreign citizen who is enrolled in his country as a nursing and midwifery professional may be permitted temporary registration in India.