New Delhi, April 7 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called on Tuesday for a commitment to build a healthcare system that supports, respects, and empowers nurses, asserting that their voices "must guide our priorities" as India's healthcare future depends on it.
The Leader of the Opposition posted a video on his social media account of his recent interaction with nurses from Kerala and said the conversation reminded him of the quiet strength that holds the healthcare system together.
"I recently had the privilege of interacting with a group of nurses from Kerala who are working here in Delhi. The conversation reminded me of the quiet strength that holds our healthcare system together," Gandhi said in his post accompanying the video.
Asserting that nurses are the foundation of the healthcare system, Gandhi said their dedication, selflessness, and empathy are what give families the courage to entrust their loved ones into someone else's care. In many ways, they are the human face of medicine, he said.
"During our interaction, I asked them a simple question: Why are nurses from Kerala so widely respected across India and the world? Their answer was equally simple: hard work, honesty, and empathy. These are not just words. These are values deeply embedded in Kerala's social fabric," Gandhi said.
The state has consistently invested in education, healthcare, and human development, creating generations of professionals who carry these values wherever they go, the former Congress chief said.
"But there were serious concerns as well. They spoke about the shortage of trained nurses in India. In some government hospitals, around 15 nurses manage over 100 patients in a ward, far from safe global standards. This directly affects the quality of care our people receive," he said.
They also emphasised that nursing cannot improve without strengthening nursing education, Gandhi said, adding that when teachers are overburdened, the entire system weakens.
"We must learn from this and commit to building a healthcare system that supports, respects, and empowers our nurses. I am deeply grateful to them for their service and their honesty. Their voices must guide our priorities. India's healthcare future depends on it," Gandhi said.
In his post on X, the Congress leader said it was a privilege to interact with nurses from Kerala and expressed gratitude for all that they do for the people and for the country.
The video comes on the last day of campaigning for the Kerala polls which will be held on April 9. The votes will be counted on May 4.