52
batches have been
completed
(until 2020)
Providing nurse training to young women to serve
as assistants in health facilities
Mumbai
The SNEHA Shakti Swathya Sevika Nurse Aide Programme is an 8-month long course that trains young women to become nurse aides in private hospitals, nursing homes, and maternity homes. Through the course, SNEHA seeks to offer employment opportunities for aspiring nurse-aides and also address a system-wide demand for health care workers. The programme covers around 651 communities and sub communities across Mumbai.
batches have been
completed
(until 2020)
students graduated
(until 2020)
of our graduates
have been placed
(until 2020)
When we started our Nurse Aide programme, we aimed not only to meet a demand for health workers, but also to address unemployment among young women. Various social and emotional challenges arise in the path to employment, and our counsellors work with our nurse aides to support them through these challenges.
Priya* was compelled to go back to her parent’s house after being mentally harassed by her alcoholic husband and in laws. She felt the need to be independent despite objection from her in laws. During that time, her aunt, who did the nurse aide course herself, introduced her to the course.
He husband would make random visits to the hospital she worked in and demand for her salary. After she completed 4-month of theory, she was called back by her in laws to do household chores, since her sister-in-law was delivering a baby. She was highly overworked and was unable to complete her internship on time moreover her in laws objected to her taking up a night duty job.
Her faculty understood her situation and allowed her a grace time of 10 minutes to attend class, since she had to complete all the household chores and only the leave home. This encouraged her to be resilient.
Priya is now earning and is able to financially support her in laws and parents.
“I am very thankful and grateful to SNEHA for giving me the courage and earn independently. I became bold and confident enough and got courage to face the challenges in life” she says.
*Name changed
HT Parekh Foundation