AMID a critical shortage of 50,000 nurses nationwide, the Public Health Ministry is now launching an urgent course to train 2,500 of them a year over two years for a total of 5,000 starting next year, TV Channel 7 said late afternoon today (Feb. 21).
Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew said senior officials had approved a proposal from Praboromarajchanok Institute and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to quickly train more nurses.
An intensive course of two and half years is being introduced for bachelor’s degree graduates in any field, but it would be helpful if they have studied in a medical science field, he said, however adding that there are questions about the readiness of training process and the necessary budget with the National Health Commission and other agencies involved preparing a summary to table to the cabinet.
In giving details about the nursing shortage, Dr. Chonlanan said one doctor should have at least four nurses but right now on average there is one nurse taking care of over 300 people and in some areas the ratio of 1 for 700 people.
Overall there is a shortage of 51,420 nurses in just the public sector, with the private sector’s needs not included.
Even though the private sector is helping train more nurses who once they have completed the course enter the Public Health Ministry system, it is still not enough.
The World Health Organisation has set a ratio of 1 nurse for 270 people but in Thailand the average is 1 for 343 people thus leading to this severe shortage.
The distribution of nurses is also uneven because while the average is 1 for 343, in 42 provinces it is 1 for 400 people, in 15 provinces 1 for 500 people and in five provinces the ratio is even higher with these being the following:
– Nong Bua Lamphu, 1 for 712 people;
– Bueng Kan, 1 for 608 people;
– Phetchabun, 1 for 572 people;
– Kamphaeng Phet, 1 for 571;
– Sisaket, 1 for 569.
Dr. Cholanan added that the cabinet has approved a budget of 37.234 billion baht to train 62,000 health care workers in nine fields over ten years to join primary care units including doctors, nurses, community dentists, community pharmacists, traditional Thai medicine practitioners, dental assistants, nursing assistants, community emergency managers and public health academics.
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