By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI:The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2026 to nursing professionals at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. A total of 15 nurses from diverse regions and healthcare settings were honoured in recognition of their exemplary service, unwavering dedication to strengthening public health delivery, and outstanding commitment to the welfare of the community.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda and Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav also graced the occasion.
In her message on the occasion, the President remarked that “nursing personnel exemplify the highest standards of service and play a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare, often in the most challenging circumstances.”
Honouring the unwavering compassion, resilience, and dedication of nurses on the International Nurses Day, Shri Nadda remarked that “Echoing this year’s theme Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives, we see how nurses strengthen our healthcare systems and drive national progress. By investing in their well-being, we build healthier communities, thriving societies, and a robust future. Let’s cherish, safeguard, and uplift those who selflessly care for us all.”
The National Florence Nightingale Award, instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, honours the dedication, compassion, and resilience that define the nursing profession. These prestigious awards are presented to Registered Nurses, Midwives, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, and Lady Health Visitors serving across Central and State Governments, Union Territories, and voluntary organizations. Each award includes a Certificate of Merit, a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, and a medal symbolizing the nation’s gratitude for the invaluable service rendered by these health warriors.
Nursing has a pivotal role to address the multiple health challenges and respond to the health needs of individuals, communities and the world. According to the scope of practice, nurses provide appropriate, accessible and evidence-based care. With a core role as patient advocate, their scientific reasoning skills, numbers and spectrum of care across the continuum, nurses are ideally placed to lead and inform health services decision making policy development. Being closest to patients, nurses can bring their voice to the policy table.
Recognising the vital role of nurses and midwives in strengthening healthcare delivery, the Government of India, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, has undertaken transformative initiatives to expand training capacity, modernise nursing education and regulatory frameworks through the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act, and establishment of 157 nursing colleges co-located with medical colleges to build a skilled, competent and empowered nursing workforce for improved health outcomes and a stronger healthcare system.
