Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav at a gathering on the occasion of International Nurses Day at the Government General Hospital in Guntur on Tuesday. | Photo credit: T. VIJAYA KUMAR
Highlighting the vital role nurses play in patient care, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Tuesday urged nursing professionals in the state to strive for the recognition enjoyed by Kerala nurses through dedication, compassion and professional excellence.
Addressing the International Nurses Day celebrations at the 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 nurse reflects affection, kindness and empathy, similar to the care shown by a mother. Patients recover faster when nurses serve them with a smile and soothing words,” he noted when 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 where almost 86% of patient care is provided by nurses. He urged nursing professionals to constantly improve their skills and self-control at the level of humanity in their services. Referring to the strong reputation of Kerala nursing, 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 services.
The minister said the state government is organizing foreign language training, including German, to help nurses secure job opportunities abroad. Under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, government hospitals have been strengthened, with preventive care given priority through free diagnostic services through 104 mobile medical units, he said.
Awards were presented to five nursing professionals in various categories, including best researcher, administrator, educator and service provider. In his speech, the minister also questioned the nursing students for not recognizing the awardees while responding quickly to the movie dialogues and urged them to better understand the successful persons in their profession.
The Florence Nightingale Awards were presented to Dr. B. Vanaja Kumari, Principal, Narayana Nursing College, Nellore, in the Best Research Nurse category; Dr. CR Samsher Begum, Principal, MIMS College of Nursing, Vizianagaram, as Best Nurse Administrator; Dr. K. Suganthi, Lecturer, Government College of Nursing, Machilipatnam, as Best Nursing Teacher; S. Chinnammi, Head Nurse at CHC Budithi, Srikakulam District for Best Nursing Services; and K. Savitri, ANM at PHC Chukkalur in Anantapur district in the ANM category.
Published – 12 May 2026 22:44 IST
