The West Bengal Government has decided to recruit 10,000 nurses who would be imparted special training on how to treat patients during an emergency.

According to sources in the state health department, as many as 10,000 nurses will soon be recruited as “Community Health Officer” (CHO) in the district and sub-divisional hospitals and also health centres in districts. The recruitment would be done through various phases on a priority basis. These CHOs would mostly be sent to villages to develop a better health infrastructure in the rural hospitals.

West Bengal Health Recruitment Board will recruit these nurses after getting a final clearance from the Chief Minister. The nurses who are willing and are already in government services can apply for the post and will have to appear in the examination. Those clearing it will get the opportunity to undergo training. The duration of the training would be of six months the syllabus for which would be prepared by IGNOU.  On the completion of the course, a certificate would be given to the candidates. In the first phase, more than 200 CHOs would be recruited in the village health centres on a priority basis.