The number of nurses in China will double in 2020, reaching a total of 4.45 million, according to a training blueprint for the following 10 years published by the Ministry of Health on Thursday.

The ministry will put more emphasis on the training of pediatricians, psychiatrists, pharmacists, nurses and health supervision personnel, the blueprint said.

The current shortage of nurses and other medical professionals is expected to be eliminated by 2020, as more than 4.6 million health and medical professionals will be working in China's smaller communities.

China is suffering a severe shortage of nurses. According to statistics released by the ministry, China had 7.78 million health and medical professionals by the end of 2009. For every 1,000 Chinese citizens, there are 1.75 doctors and 1.39 nurses.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments