International Nurses’ Day: Anita from Odisha among Florence Nightingale awardees

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred the prestigious Florence Nightingale awards to 35 nurses for their outstanding services at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Nurses Day.

Sister Anita Kumari Parida from Odisha working at Kalimela CHC in Malkangiri district was conferred prestigious Florence Nightingale Award as recognition for dedicated work done by her and compatriots on the frontlines.

She played a pivotal role during Japanese Encephalitis outbreak in 2016. Besides, 100 % institutional delivery has been done in the Mudakhal Sub-Centre due to her dedication and hard work.

The health worker was also awarded as best Health Worker in the district earlier this year.

Kovind lauded the dedication and contribution of nurses to the nation and stressed on the need for strengthening the nursing sector.

At present, there are 1.7 nurses per 1,000 people in India, but the world average is 2.5 nurses. In the past few years, the number of institutions for nursing education has increased. As a result, the number of registered nurses and other health workers had crossed 27 lakh till March 2017. But this number is not sufficient because the need for nurses is growing, the President said.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda congratulated the award winners and appreciated their exemplary services. Acknowledging the strong caring and compassionate attitude of the nursing community, the Health Minister said that we are proud of all the winners and wish that they will be an inspiration for all the nursing personnel in the country and motivate them to provide quality nursing services and standards.

Speaking at the function, the Health Minister stated that the Government strongly believes that health is a human right.  “This belief was the cornerstone for genesis and introduction of world’s largest healthcare scheme- the ‘Ayushman Bharat’, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, earlier this year,” Nadda said.