The University of Houston (UH) has been instrumental in the establishment of India's inaugural Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program through a significant collaboration. MGM Institute of Health Sciences in Mumbai and Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences have initiated an advanced nursing program, facilitated by the support of UH’s Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing.

The initiative focuses on the urgent need to mitigate deficiencies in primary care providers and nursing leadership, particularly in underserved regions, positioning it as a pivotal development for Indian healthcare. The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, acknowledged the program during its development phase, emphasizing its potential to transform healthcare delivery. 

The idea of implementing the DNP program in India emerged in 2017 during a discussion involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Durga D. Agrawal, a member of the UH System Board of Regents, along with his spouse, Sushila Agrawal. This meeting established a framework for a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving nursing education in India. 

Agrawal, the president and CEO of Piping Technology & Products, Inc., stated, "We examined how the DNP program might contribute to meeting India's healthcare requirements, especially in rural regions." “I emphasized the potential benefits of introducing a program like the DNP from Texas, which could enhance the skills of nurses in India by equipping them with the necessary clinical expertise to tackle the health challenges present in underserved areas.” 

Agrawal’s support for the program highlighted the necessity of enhancing healthcare infrastructure through the development of advanced clinical and leadership skills in nurses. 

In order to actualize the concept, Kathryn Tart, the founding dean of the Gessner College of Nursing at UH, along with Shainy Varghese, a nursing professor and Fulbright specialist, traveled to India later in 2017.  The objective is to work in conjunction with the Indian Nursing Council while forming partnerships with the MGM Institute of Health Sciences and Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. 

“This represented a pivotal point in obtaining institutional backing in India,” stated Tart. “Implementing this program requires significant time and effort; however, the resulting enhancement of nursing education and the contribution to alleviating the leadership shortage justify the investment.” 

The collaboration continued to navigate challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, through consistent virtual meetings. This approach ensured that the program's design adhered to international standards while addressing the specific healthcare requirements of India. 

The DNP program commenced in October 2024, representing a significant development in the history of medical education in India. Shainy Varghese and Beena Joseph, a clinical assistant professor of nursing at UH, participated in the inaugural ceremonies in India, highlighting the program's capacity to enhance critical care practices and nursing education across the country. 

“The program presents substantial opportunities to transform nursing education and critical care practice in India, and we take pride in our involvement in this important milestone,” stated Varghese. 

The DNP degree equips family nurse practitioners and nurse executives with the necessary skills to navigate and manage complex healthcare environments effectively. The qualification standard for advanced nursing is raised from a master’s degree to a doctorate, providing a comprehensive approach to address the shortages in healthcare leadership. 

India's extensive population and the significant disparities in healthcare access, especially in rural regions, indicate a substantial opportunity for improvement through the DNP program. Advanced practice nurses educated through this initiative are anticipated to address the shortfall caused by the restricted availability of physicians and healthcare professionals in the country. 

Agrawal observed the program's wider implications, stating, “Considering the restricted number of physicians and healthcare professionals, I am convinced that this program is making a notable difference in the healthcare sector to address these shortages in Texas.” In the future, I foresee this program expanding and establishing a standard for nursing education across the country. 

The achievements of the DNP program in India highlight the effectiveness of international academic partnerships in tackling urgent healthcare issues. In Texas, there are around 3,000 DNP professionals actively practicing, while an additional 5,000 individuals are currently enrolled in various programs throughout the state. The success of the initiative in India could serve as a model for analogous cross-border collaborations focused on improving healthcare delivery on a global scale. 

The program's increasing momentum illustrates the effectiveness of strategic leadership and international collaborations in tackling significant healthcare challenges. Through the support of UH and the commitment of Indian institutions, the DNP program establishes a benchmark for creative approaches in medical education and practice.