This diploma course will begin in the academic year 2025–26, with an intake capacity of 20 students. The aim is to train specialised cancer care nurses to improve the quality of healthcare services for cancer patients.
At present, under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and day-care centers are being started in district hospitals. However, there are currently no trained oncology nurses or oncology nursing training centers functioning under the state health department.
To address this gap, the government had earlier decided to start a one-year Post Basic Diploma in Oncology Nursing at the KEM Hospital Nursing Training Center.
The Maharashtra State Board of Nursing and Paramedical Education had submitted a proposal to the government seeking permission to start this course. After examining KEM Hospital’s capability and receiving a positive report from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, the government has now approved the course from the 2025–26 academic year.
The department has directed that no admissions should be made before receiving formal affiliation and that the number of students should not exceed the approved limit. It has also instructed that the institute must have all the qualified teaching staff as required by the Indian Nursing Council.
Who Can Apply?
Registered nurses who have completed General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) or B.Sc. Nursing are eligible to apply for this course. In the first phase, priority will be given to nurses from the state health department, and later, other candidates may be admitted through CET (Common Entrance Test) if required.
Course Expenses
The expenses for running the Post Basic Diploma in Oncology Nursing course will be covered through the academic fees collected from the students.
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