In which year did Madras Presidency succeed in enacting the Madras Nurses and Midwives Act to promote the hiring of a registered midwife for service during childbirth?

Appeared in: UP CHO - 10 September 2021

Explanation

The Madras Nurses and Midwives Act was passed in 1926 by the Madras Presidency.
This was a landmark legislation, being the first Nurse Registration Act passed in India.
Its primary goal was to regulate the profession and promote the use of trained, registered midwives for childbirth to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Option B: 1928 was the year the Act came into force, but it was passed two years earlier.
Option C: 1930 is incorrect. The Act was passed four years prior to this.
Option D: 1922 is incorrect. The Act was passed four years after this date.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Nursing in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of nursing legislation helps nurses appreciate the evolution of professional standards, registration, and scope of practice that govern their work today.
This Act was a crucial first step in moving from informal care by traditional 'dais' to a regulated profession with standardized training, directly impacting patient safety and reducing mortality rates.
What if? - If this Act had not been passed, the standardization of nursing and midwifery education would have been delayed, likely resulting in continued high rates of maternal and infant mortality and a slower professionalization of nursing in India.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question about a specific historical event in Indian nursing.
Identify the key terms in the question: 'Madras Nurses and Midwives Act' and the action 'enacting'.
Scan the options, which are all years in the early 20th century.
Recall or look up the specific date associated with this landmark legislation.
Differentiate between the year the act was 'passed' (enacted) and the year it 'came into force', as these can be different. The question asks for the year of enactment.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: History of Nursing in India
Stem keywords: Madras Presidency, Madras Nurses and Midwives Act, childbirth, registered midwife
Lead-in keywords: In which year

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E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc NursingJogindra Vati — Subpart C (pp 679-1002 of 1017) p. 295-297

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 46-54

Practise the full UP CHO - 10 September 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.