In a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 11, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu honored 15 exceptional nursing professionals with the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Awards for 2024. These awards recognise their unwavering dedication to duty and service to the community.

The event was attended by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, and other prominent dignitaries.

Instituted in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Florence Nightingale Award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of nurses across India. The award is presented to those excelling in categories such as Registered Auxiliary Nurses & Midwives, Registered Nurses & Midwives, and Registered Lady Visitors. The recipients are recognized for their exceptional work in hospitals, communities, educational institutions, or administrative settings, whether employed by central, state, or voluntary organizations.

Each awardee receives a Certificate of Merit, a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, and a medal.

Highlighting the vital role nurses play in the healthcare system, the Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen nursing and midwifery education. Key developments include the establishment of 157 nursing colleges alongside medical institutions and the creation of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission, aimed at modernizing nursing education and practice.

These steps, championed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, are expected to significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the nation, underscoring the essential contributions of the nursing community.