New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil Tuesday stressed the need to improve the nurse-patient ratio in India that is facing a shortage of over one million nurses.
“Nurses can contribute to creating awareness about healthy practices, disease prevention, and provide vital maternal and child healthcare services to the community. I would like to point out the need to improve the nurse-patient ratio in the country,” Patil said on the occasion of International Nurses Day in the capital.

Patil felicitated 29 nurses with the National Florence Nightingale Award at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

According to the planning commission, India faces a shortage of about one million nurses.

Patil appealed to nurses to join the efforts to take medical services to the doorsteps of the people.

“To achieve the national objective of delivering primary healthcare to all, nurses must join in the efforts to take medical services to the doorsteps of the people in villages, and remote and tribal areas including economically weaker sections in cities and towns,” said Patil.