Mumbai: Concerns over India's nursing shortage and the urgent need to strengthen the healthcare workforce took center stage at ANEICON 2026, the annual two-day conference of the Association of Nurse Executives India (ANEI), which commenced in Mumbai on Friday.
Low Nurse-to-Population Ratio
Speakers highlighted that India currently has only 1.9 to 2.2 nurses per 1,000 population, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organisation-recommended ratio of three nurses per 1,000 population. This gap underscores the pressing need for strategic interventions to bolster the nursing workforce across the country.
Key Discussions and Delegates
Over 600 delegates from various parts of India attended the conference, engaging in discussions on challenges and solutions related to nursing shortages. Surgeon Rear Admiral (Dr) Manish Honwad emphasized the critical role of nurses in early disease detection and delivering quality healthcare services. He called for enhanced training and support systems to enable nurses to perform these functions effectively.
Maharashtra health official Dr Nilima Sonawane stressed the importance of empowering rural nurses through technical advancements. She noted that leveraging technology can bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare, ensuring that quality nursing care reaches underserved populations.
Call to Action
The conference concluded with a collective call to action for policymakers, healthcare institutions, and nursing bodies to work together to address the shortage. Recommendations included increasing nursing education capacity, improving working conditions, and integrating technology into nursing practices to enhance efficiency and outreach.
