New Delhi, Sept 11: The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2024 to the nursing professionals at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, today.
In all, 15 nurses were conferred the award in recognition of their outstanding commitment to duty and service to the community.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Smt. Anupriya Patel and other dignitaries were also present.
Congratulating the awardees, Shri J P Nadda said that this accolade will inspire them to continue pushing the boundaries in public service. He also stated that “Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare sector.”
The National Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in the year 1973 as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to the society.
A total of 15 awards are given in the category of Registered Auxiliary Nurses & Midwife, Registered Nurses and Midwife and Registered Lady Visitor. The award is given to outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State and UTs and Voluntary Organizations.
The nurse in her or his regular job in the hospital or community settings, educational or administrative setting is eligible for the national award. Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, Cash Award of Rs.1,00,000/- and a medal.
The nurses who were awarded today are, Ms Sheela Mondal from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ms Iken Lollen from Arunachal Pradesh, Ms Vidjeyacoumary V from Puducherry, Ms Januka Pandey from Sikkim, Ms Anindita Pramanik from West Bengal.
Ms Brahmacharimayum Amusana Devi from Manipur, Ms Prem Rose Suri and Major Gen Ignatius Delos Flora from Delhi, Dr Tabasum Irshad Handoo from Jammu & Kashmir, Dr Nagarajaiah from Karnataka, Ms Shamshad Beegum A from Lakshadweep, Ms Asha Womanrao Bawane from Maharashtra, Ms H Mankimi from Mizoram, Ms Sanjunta Sethi from Odisha and Mr Radhey Lal Sharma from Rajasthan.
Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. Government of India, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister has taken several initiatives to strengthen nursing and midwifery education.
The major initiatives taken such as the establishment of 157 colleges of nursing in co-location with the medical colleges and the constitution of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission to revamp the nursing education and practice will lead to better healthcare services for the entire country.
