Government to enroll 15,000 nurses to fill the existing vacancies in government hospitals

Even though it was planned to enroll 5000 nurses annually as from 2005. Only 7000 nurses were enrolled for the years in 2005 and 2006. As such there is shortage of 8000 nurses. The reason being, less people are qualified in science subjects at the G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations. As such a decision has been made to enroll people who are qualified in Arts subjects also to nursing.

Next year, after the handing over of nursing training schools to Universities, only those graduating in nursing from the University would be appointed as nurses said Ministry of Health sources. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health has decided to enroll 15000 nurses in the year 2007.

The administration of 14 nurses training institutions are to be handed over to Universities and the appointments are to be finalized prior to this.