Why in news?
On International Nurses Day (12 May 2026) President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards on 15 nursing professionals at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards recognise outstanding service by nurses, midwives and auxiliary staff across India. Each recipient received a certificate, a medal and ₹1 lakh in cash. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and other officials attended the ceremony.
Background
The National Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1973. It honours registered nurses, midwives, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and Lady Health Visitors who provide exceptional service in hospitals, community health centres and outreach programmes. The award is named after Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing.
Florence Nightingale was born on 12 May 1820 in Florence, Italy. Despite her wealthy upbringing, she chose nursing as her vocation, studying at the Kaiserwerth Deaconess Institute in Germany. During the Crimean War (1854‑56) she led a team of 38 nurses to the British military hospital in Scutari, where she improved hygiene, introduced hand‑washing and reduced mortality. Her nightly rounds earned her the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.” After the war she established the world’s first professional nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London in 1860. Nightingale campaigned for medical reforms, wrote extensively on nursing and women’s rights, and became the first woman to receive the Order of Merit in 1907. She died in 1910, but her legacy continues to inspire the Red Cross and the global nursing profession.
Details of the 2026 awards
- Fifteen nursing professionals were honoured for dedication to patient care, public health and community service.
- Awardees included nurses from government hospitals, rural health missions and specialised units such as oncology, critical care and tribal health outreach.
- The awards highlight the role nurses play in implementing government programmes, ensuring maternal and child health and responding to emergencies.
Significance
Recognising nursing personnel boosts morale and underscores the importance of compassionate care. Linking the awards to Florence Nightingale’s legacy reminds society of the values of service, innovation and advocacy in healthcare.
Sources: PIB