Stressing the vital role played by nurses in patient care, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Tuesday urged nursing professionals in the State to strive for the kind of recognition enjoyed by nurses from Kerala through dedication, compassion and professional excellence.

Addressing the International Nurses Day celebrations at Government Medical College GMCANA Auditorium in Guntur, the Minister said nurses provide emotional support and comfort to patients through compassionate service and care. “The word sister reflects affection, kindness and empathy, similar to the care shown by a mother. Patients recover faster when nurses serve them with a smile and reassuring words,” he observed while presenting the prestigious Florence Nightingale Awards to five nursing professionals.

Mr. Satya Kumar noted that studies have identified nursing as one of the noblest professions, with nearly 86% of patient care delivered by nurses. He called upon nursing professionals to constantly upgrade their skills and introspect on the level of humanity in their service. Referring to Kerala’s strong nursing reputation, he said Andhra Pradesh, with nearly 700 nursing colleges producing around 38,000 graduates annually, should also build a similar identity through best practices and committed service.

The Minister said the State government was organising foreign language training, including German, to help nurses secure overseas employment opportunities. Under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, government hospitals were being strengthened, with preventive healthcare receiving priority through free diagnostic services via 104 mobile medical units, he said.

Awards were presented to five nursing professionals in various categories, including best researcher, administrator, educator and service provider. During his address, the Minister also questioned nursing students for not recognising awardees while quickly responding to film dialogues, urging them to better understand achievers in their profession.

The Florence Nightingale Awards were presented to Dr. B. Vanaja Kumari, Principal of Narayana Nursing College, Nellore, in the Best Nurse Researcher category; Dr. C.R. Samsher Begum, Principal of MIMS College of Nursing, Vizianagaram, as Best Nurse Administrator; Dr. K. Suganthi, Lecturer at Government College of Nursing, Machilipatnam, as Best Nurse Educator; S. Chinnammi, Head Nurse at CHC Budithi in Srikakulam district for Best Nursing Services; and K. Savitri, ANM at PHC Chukkaluru in Anantapur district in the ANM category.