National Florence Nightingale Awards 2024 [Current Affairs]

On September 11, 2024, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presided over a distinguished ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan to present the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2024. This prestigious event recognized outstanding contributions in the field of nursing, highlighting the crucial role that nursing professionals play in the healthcare system.

Background of the Awards

Origin and Purpose

The National Florence Nightingale Awards were established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. These awards serve a dual purpose:

1. To recognize the exceptional services provided by nursing personnel across the country.
2. To honor the legacy of Florence Nightingale, the pioneering British nurse who set the standards for modern nursing practices.

Significance in the Indian Healthcare System

These awards hold immense importance in India’s healthcare landscape:

• They motivate nursing professionals to strive for excellence in their field.
• The awards raise awareness about the critical role of nurses in healthcare delivery.
• They help in setting benchmarks for quality nursing care across different regions of India.

The 2024 Award Ceremony

Venue and Presiding Dignitary

The ceremony took place at the prestigious Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. The event was graced by the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, underscoring the national importance of these awards.

Categories of Awards

The 2024 National Florence Nightingale Awards were presented in three main categories:

1. ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife): Recognizing grassroots-level healthcare workers.
2. LHV (Lady Health Visitor): Honoring supervisory nursing personnel.
3. Nurse: Acknowledging registered nurses across various specializations.

The Awardees

This year’s awards celebrated the diverse contributions of nursing professionals from across India. The recipients represented various states and union territories, reflecting the nationwide impact of nursing excellence.

Table of Awardees

S.No.	Category	Name	State/UT
1	ANM	Smt. Sheela Mondal	Andaman & Nicobar
2	ANM	Ms. Iken Lollen	Arunachal Pradesh
3	ANM	Ms. Vidjeyacoumary V	Puducherry
4	ANM	Ms. Januka Pandey	Sikkim
5	ANM	Smt. Anindita Pramanik	West Bengal
6	LHV	Ms. Brahmacharimayum Amusana Devi	Manipur
7	Nurse	Maj Gen Ignatius Delos Flora	Delhi
8	Nurse	Ms. Prem Rose Suri	Delhi
9	Nurse	Dr. Tabasum Irshad Handoo	Jammu & Kashmir
10	Nurse	Dr. Nagarajaiah	Karnataka
11	Nurse	Ms. Shamshad Beegum Attalada	Lakshadweep
12	Nurse	Ms. Asha Wamanrao Bawane	Maharashtra
13	Nurse	Ms. H Mankimi	Mizoram
14	Nurse	Ms. Sanjukta Sethi	Odisha
15	Nurse	Mr. Radhey Lal Sharma	Rajasthan

Highlights of the Awardees

Geographic Diversity

The 2024 awards showcased the pan-Indian nature of nursing excellence:

• Representatives from remote areas like Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
• Awardees from North-Eastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Mizoram.
• Recognition of nursing professionals from both urban centers (Delhi) and rural areas.

Professional Diversity

The awards recognized various levels of nursing professionals:

• Five ANMs, highlighting the importance of primary healthcare workers.
• One LHV, acknowledging the supervisory role in nursing.
• Nine Nurses, including those with advanced degrees and military backgrounds.

Notable Mentions

Some standout awardees include:

• Maj Gen Ignatius Delos Flora from Delhi, representing the armed forces’ nursing corps.
• Dr. Tabasum Irshad Handoo from Jammu & Kashmir, showcasing the academic achievements in nursing.
• Mr. Radhey Lal Sharma from Rajasthan, one of the few male nurses recognized, highlighting gender diversity in the profession.