The Indian Nursing Council has introduced the Indian Nursing Council {Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery (NPM) Educator Program} Regulations, 2023, aiming to revolutionize midwifery services in India and enhance maternal and neonatal healthcare.
These regulations focus on addressing the pressing need for trained healthcare professionals to cater to the approximately 30 million pregnancies occurring annually in India. The ‘Midwifery Services Initiative’ seeks to bolster reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health services by empowering nurse practitioners in midwifery through Midwifery Led Care Units (MLCUs).
Recognizing the pivotal role of midwives in providing quality maternity care, the initiative aims to create a new cadre of nurse practitioners titled “Nurse Practitioners in Midwifery” (NPM). These practitioners will be trained to offer compassionate, women-centered care throughout the continuum of pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal periods. The program encompasses an intensive 18-month residency aimed at developing skilled NPMs capable of delivering evidence-based and respectful midwifery care at institutional and community levels.
Additionally, the curriculum integrates the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) framework to ensure adherence to quality standards. NPMs will work autonomously, collaboratively with healthcare professionals, and manage Midwife-Led Care Units at high case-load facilities.
Recognizing the crucial role of educators in shaping the future of midwifery, the program also includes training for NPM educators. These educators will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to train NPMs, uphold the core values of midwifery, and facilitate transformative education and leadership in midwifery practice.
The overarching aim of the program is to prepare competent NPM educators and practitioners who can provide quality, compassionate care to women, newborns, and families, ultimately contributing to the improvement of maternal and neonatal health outcomes in India. The program aligns with WHO midwifery educator core competencies and emphasizes humanizing transformation and autonomous midwifery practice. Through this initiative, India endeavors to meet the Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and newborn health and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all.
