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Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS)
Context
According to recent data presented in the Lok Sabha, only one-third of the country's total registered nursing workforce is listed on the Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS). The incomplete implementation of this digital platform, launched seven years ago, is affecting the healthcare system and the professional mobility of nursing personnel.
What is Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS)?
Introduction & Nodal Agency: It is a national-level digital platform developed by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- Primary Objective: To create an updated (Live) and standardized 'National Database/Registry' of all registered nursing personnel across the country.
- Cadres Included: Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RN & RM), and Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) are registered under this.
- Services Provided: It provides a single online platform for primary registration, renewal, inter-state registration, registration of higher qualifications, and credential verification.
- National Unique Identity (NUID): Under this system, upon successful enrolment, a unique 'National Unique Identity Card' (NUID) is issued to each nursing personnel.
- Importance (Exam Perspective):
- Data Standardization: Accurately obtaining real-time data on the available nursing workforce in the country.
- Transparency & Prevention of Fraud: Prevents fake certificates and eliminates the issue of double registration.
- Global & Internal Mobility: Expedites the process of obtaining a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) and verification for overseas employment or transfer to other states.
Current News
Enrolment Status at the National Level: Out of the country's total 46.02 lakh registered nursing personnel, only 14.24 lakh are enrolled on the NRTS, while 31.78 lakh personnel remain outside this national system.
- Stark Disparities in State Performances:
- Top-Performing States: Bihar performed excellently by enrolling 99.1% (62,020 out of 62,591), and Jharkhand enrolled nearly 90% (24,640 out of 27,160) personnel.
- Bottom-Ranked States: Tamil Nadu registered a coverage of only 12.0% (57,000 out of 4.76 lakh), Karnataka 14.7% (82,000 out of 5.58 lakh), and Nagaland just 15.0%.
- Obstacles & Challenges in Implementation:
- Several State Nursing Registration Councils are still using their separate systems, preventing the integration of digital data.
- Delays in the process are causing nurses to wait for months for NOCs, inter-state transfers, and foreign verification.
- Intervention by MP & Organizations: MP Anto Antony wrote a letter to the Union Health Minister requesting the issuance of NUID cards to all nurses within 6 months. Meanwhile, the 'Indian Professional Nurses Association' (IPNA) termed it a result of mismanagement and lack of accountability.
Conclusion
Effective implementation of NRTS is essential to make India's healthcare sector transparent and robust, as well as to protect the rights of nursing personnel. The Central and State governments must coordinate to swiftly integrate the data of State Nursing Councils with the national platform to build a comprehensive and error-free 'National Health Workforce Registry'.