HYDERABAD: The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare addressed a letter to the Chief Minister and Members of Parliament regarding the strengthening and upgradation of Nursing Schools and Colleges. It may be stated here that the Government of India has been implementing a Centrally sponsored scheme of strengthening and upgradation of Nursing Schools and Colleges under which Central Financial assistance would be provided during the XI Five Year Plan to establish 7 ANMs in the State and to make available the required land.

The State Government, immediately after receipt of the letter from the Government of India has directed the Commissioner of Family Welfare to take immediate action.

Under the above scheme, the State is entitled for 7 ANMs Schools and 7 GNM colleges in AP as part of the 132 ANMs and 137 GNMs to be established in the 269 identified districts in India with poor health indicators under the Centrally sponsored scheme of strengthening and upgradation of Nursing schools. The cost of the schools and the staff to be shared between Central Government and State Government at 85% and 15% respectively i.e. Rs.5 crores for ANM schools and Rs.10 crores for GNM schools respectively. The necessary budget has already been provided during 2012-13 in the current Action Plan of the NRHM as part the 15% State share.

The District Collectors have been informed to identify the land for construction of the schools at the locations identified by the Government of India i.e. Tirupati, Kakinada, Eluru, Narsapuram, Ongole, Vijayawada and Karimnagar. Commissioner of Family Welfare, Hyderabad has been appointed as Nodal Officer of the State and he would be signing the MoU on behalf of  the State once the land is identified by the District Collectors concerned. Two acres of land is required for the establishment of ANM school with 50 beds of Maternity Ward with 100 deliveries per month and GNM schools where 150 bedded hospital with all the specialities required for GNM schools (District Hospital). The District Collectors have been directed to identify the land at District Head Quarters or at Area Hospitals satisfying the norms.