Midnight delivery on remote island, Ladakh nursing: 15 nurses honored with National Florence Nightingale Award

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday awarded the National Florence Nightingale Award 2026 to 15 nursing professionals from across the country, ranging from midnight lifesaving missions in the remote Lakshadweep Islands to rescuing patients in the harsh high altitudes of Ladakh.The award was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on International Nurses Day in the presence of Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav.Among the winners was Aysha Beebi K from Lakshadweep, who was honored for carrying out a crucial midnight delivery on a remote island, saving a mother and her child during an emergency.Kulwinder Parhi, an auxiliary nurse midwife based in Ladakh, was honored for her nearly three decades of service in difficult high-altitude areas, including treating civilians and troops in extreme weather conditions.Delhi Nursing Officer Dr Sharwan Kumar Dhaka has been recognized for his role in Covid-19 vaccination rollout and public health services to underserved communities.Several recipients were recognized for providing medical services in remote tribes, islands and high altitude areas, including emergency care during hurricanes, COVID-19 outreach and difficult terrain operations.In his address, the President said nursing staff embody the highest standards of service and play a vital role in providing quality health care, often under challenging conditions.Recipients include auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), registered nurses, nursing officers and educators from across the country, including Maj. Gen. Lisama PV from the Army Medical Service, who was honored for his contributions to military health care.The National Florence Nightingale Award was established by the Commonwealth Department of Health to recognize excellence in service, compassion and resilience in nursing. Each award comes with a certificate, a medal and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.Marking International Nurses Day, Nada said nurses are critical to strengthening healthcare systems and improving community health outcomes. Speaking on this year’s theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowering Nurses to Save Lives,” he said investing in the well-being of nurses is crucial to building a healthier society.The Department of Health said nurses remain the closest point of contact with patients and play a key role in health service delivery, patient advocacy and public health implementation across the country.