Medical education in the State is the biggest of its kind in the country. The State government has formulated nursing education policy and if implemented effectively, people will undoubtedly have faith in nursing profession, said Minister for Medical Education V S Acharya.

Speaking at the inaugural function of Manipal College of Nursing, Bejai, held at Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre on Monday, he said establishing institutions for empowerment of young students and changing them into professionals is real nation building.

Self-financing professional education was first started by Manipal University and appreciated the nursing college management for setting aside 40 per cent seats as government seats.

An elaborate system must be put in place to maintain quality of education in the country, failing which countries like China and South Asian countries will surpass India in various fields, he said and hoped that the students of the nursing college will become knowledge ambassadors.

KMC Pro-Chancellor H S Ballal said nursing is a noble profession as they play a key role in comforting the patients. Remembering Florence Nightingale who brought dignity to the profession, he said if one takes care of illness, poverty will vanish.

KMC was the first hospital to be set up in the district as far back as 1953, which is why health indices are very high in the district, he noted. Dr TMA Pai thought much ahead of him and such visionaries are necessary to become a developed nation by 2020, he said and called upon students to maintain high standards and academic excellence.

KMC Chancellor Dr Ramdas Pai said a professional nurse can make a unique contribution towards the society and nursing education develops a person as a prospective contributor to the society, he said adding that a great future awaits students of the nursing college.

State Government Director of Medical Education Ramanand A Shetty said over 300 nursing colleges and 600 nursing schools exists in the State producing over 50,000 nursing graduates every year. Many established hospitals are running short of nurses, he added.

Manipal University Vice-Chancellor Rajshekharan P Warrier said nurses should not only learn clinical skills, but they should also have compassion for the patients and be kind to them.

Registrar Dr Vinod Bhat, KMC Dean Dr Raghuveer, Manipal College of Nursing, Bejai Dean Juliana D’Sa, Vasanthi Pai and Indira Ballal were present.