New Delhi: India and Italy have taken another significant step toward strengthening cooperation in the healthcare sector, with senior officials from both countries holding high-level discussions in New Delhi to accelerate the implementation of the Joint Declaration of Intent on nurses’ mobility.
The Italian delegation, led by Professor Mennini, Head of the Department of Medical Professions at Italy’s Ministry of Health, and Barbara Mangiacavalli, President of the National Federation of Nurses (FNOPI), held a series of meetings with key Indian stakeholders to discuss concrete follow-up measures after the agreement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rome.
During the visit, the delegation met senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and the Ministry of External Affairs. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in nursing education, professional training, skill development, and the structured mobility of qualified Indian nurses to Italy.
The delegation also visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Indian Nursing Council to gain first-hand insights into India’s healthcare and nursing education ecosystem. In addition, they interacted with representatives from the private healthcare sector to explore opportunities for collaboration in workforce development.
A major outcome of the visit was the convening of the first Ministerial Joint Coordination Committee, which initiated the drafting of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the skilling, training, and recruitment of nurses under the India–Italy partnership.
The visit is being seen as a milestone in expanding healthcare cooperation between the two countries, creating new opportunities for Indian nursing professionals while helping address Italy’s growing demand for skilled healthcare workers.