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NEW DELHI: From conducting a life-saving midnight delivery on a remote Lakshadweep island to treating patients in the harsh high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, 15 nursing professionals from across the country were honoured with the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday.The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on International Nurses Day in the presence of Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and minister of state for health Prataprao Jadhav.Among the awardees was Aysha Beebi K from Lakshadweep, recognised for conducting a critical midnight delivery on a remote island that saved both mother and child during an emergency.Ladakh-based Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Kulwinder Parhi was honoured for nearly three decades of service in difficult high-altitude regions, including treatment of civilians and troops under extreme weather conditions.Delhi nursing officer Dr Sharwan Kumar Dhaka was recognised for his role in Covid-19 vaccination outreach and public health services in underserved communities.Several awardees were recognised for healthcare delivery in remote tribal, island and high-altitude regions, including emergency care during cyclones, Covid outreach and difficult terrain operations.In her address, the President said nursing personnel exemplify the highest standards of service and play a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare, often under challenging conditions. The awardees included Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), registered nurses, nursing officers and educators from across the country, including Major General Lissamma P.V. from Army medical services, who was honoured for contributions to military healthcare.The National Florence Nightingale Award, instituted by the Union health ministry, recognises exceptional service, compassion and resilience in nursing. Each award carries a Certificate of Merit, a medal and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.Marking International Nurses Day, Nadda said nurses are central to strengthening healthcare systems and improving community health outcomes. Referring to this year’s theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”, he said investing in nurses’ wellbeing was essential for building a healthier society.The health ministry said nurses remain the closest point of contact for patients and play a key role in healthcare delivery, patient advocacy and public health implementation across the country.
