India Celebrates Healthcare Heroes with Florence Nightingale Awards 2026

Respectable President of India Shri. Droupadi Murmu has presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on International Nurses Day. This ceremony recognized the outstanding nursing professionals from across the country for their dedication and commitment to the healthcare.

Key Highlights of National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026

This prestigious awards are instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to honor the excellence in nursing services.

• Awards are presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
• It recognizes the service, compassion and resilience.
• It also includes a Certificate of Merit, ₹1 lakh cash prize and a medal.
• The ceremony also attended by Union Health Minister Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda.

These awards represent the one of the highest recognitions for the nursing professionals in India.

Who Are the Awardees?

This year the nursing personnel from various states, Union Territories and institutions were honored.

Some of the notable awardees include,

• Kulwinder Parhi (Leh)
  Ujwala Mahadev Soyam (Maharashtra)
  Lalenthangi Hnamte (Mizoram)
  Madhu Mala Gurung (Sikkim)
• Gita Karmakar (West Bengal)
• Poonam Verma (Chandigarh)
• Kabitha Jagannath (Karnataka)
• Aysha Beebu K. (Lakshadweep)
• Dr. R Shankar Shanumugam (Tamil Nadu)
• Maj Gen Lissamma PV (Indian Army)

Who Is Eligible for the Award?

The awards are given to te,

• Registered Nurses
• Midwives
• Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)
• Lady Health Visitors (LHVs)

They can belong to the,

• Central or State Governments
• Union Territories
• Voluntary organisations

This ensures the recognition across the all levels of healthcare services.

International Nurses Day 2026: Theme and Significance

The International Nurses Day is celebrated every year on the May 12 to mark the birth anniversary of the Florence Nightingale.

Theme of the 2026 is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives’

The theme emphasizes the,

• Better working conditions for nurses.
• Fair salaries and staffing support.
• Leadership opportunities.
• Access to the quality education and training.