The President of India Pranab Mukherjee today expressed severe concern over the phenomenal shortage of about 2.4 million nurses in our country and a decrease in the number of nurses from about 1.65 million in 2009 to about 1.56 million in 2015.

Inaugurated the Bansilal Malani College of Nursing established by the Mahila Dakshata Samiti in Hyderabad, he this this indicated a worry-some trend. At the same time, he said that our infrastructure also comprises of just 1.53 lakh sub-centres, 85000 PHCs and about 5000 Community Health Centres in a nation of 130 crore people living in more than 5000 towns and 6.4 lakh villages.

President felt that it is essential to look for models wherein all stake-holders participate rather than the government alone. Expressing concern over the deficiencies in the health infrastructure of the country, he said the only long lasting solution is to create cooperative structures comprising the government and private stake holders as well as civil society.

In fact, he said that the developmental goals of health, education, livelihood etc. cannot be achieved by the government alone. Such co-operative structures are relevant for all of them.

He said real empowerment of women would be possible only through education, encouragement of economic self-dependence and provision of opportunities enabling the unfolding of one’s full potential. The President said it is unfortunate that today when average overall literacy in India was 74%, women’s literacy is less than 65%. He said a society which does not empower its women will end up as a loser and called for renewed efforts in this direction.