Nurse Practitioner for Chronic NCDs is a new dimension in the rising burden of chronic NCDs in the country. Over the next 15 years, it is anticipated that the global cost of CVD will be US$47 trillion, this includes direct healthcare costs and productivity loss from disability or premature death, or time loss from work because of illness or the need to seek care. In low and middle-income countries (LMIC) nearly 80% of NCD-related deaths occur.
Experience from the developed countries had revealed that nurses can play an important role in the prevention and management of NCDs in different health care settings. However, in India, the nurses are presently underutilized for the task of management of NCDs.
Four days virtual course on prevention and management of NCDs for nurses on the theme Nurse practitioners for chronic NCDs was organized by the National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER in collaboration with the World NCD Federation from 17th to 20th January 2022. The course is aimed at sensitizing and preparing the nurses for NCD management so that they can play a great role in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases.
Dr Karobi Das and Dr JS Thakur were the organizing Chairpersons of the course. Dr Kavita and Dr Sushma were the Organising Secretaries. A total of 86 participants from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Kolkata participated in the course.
The course was inaugurated by Dr Suman Singh, Director of Health Services, UT, Chandigarh. She emphasized in her inaugural address that NCDs are major killers and nurses can play an important role in its prevention and management. Dr Manju Vatsa, Ex. Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS New Delhi, and Guest of honour for the inaugural function highlighted the Importance of task shifting of NCD prevention and management to nurses.
Dr JS Thakur, President of the World NCD Federation stressed the nurse practitioner’s role for chronic NCDs. Dr Karobi Das, Officiating Principal NINE reported that this 4th course in the series is being organized by NINE in collaboration with the World NCD Federation and it will be a continuous feature in coming years too.
The course included the role of nurses in the prevention and management of chronic NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and mental illnesses. Various experts also discussed SDGs, Human resources for health, multisectoral action plans, NPCDCS, population-based screening for common NCDs.
Panel Discussion on the theme “Nurse practitioners for chronic NCDs in Indian context” was chaired by Dr Sushma Kumari Saini in which different stakeholders from MoHFW, IGNOU, and educational institutions participated. The participants appreciated the course.
A certificate of participation was given to the participants. They said that the course was helpful in educating them on the role of nurses in the management of NCDs. They felt that they were motivated to participate actively in discussion and lectures by experts were of good quality and easy to understand.
