Bengaluru, June 27, 2026: The silver jubilee edition of the Florence Nightingale Awards celebrated the remarkable contributions of Karnataka’s nursing fraternity at a grand ceremony held in the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha. Organised by the Florence Nightingale Award Committee, Bengaluru, the 25th edition recognised nurses for their outstanding clinical service, unwavering commitment to patient care, and dedicated contribution to the healthcare sector.
The event was inaugurated by Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader, in the presence of Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bhagavan B.C., and Health and Family Welfare Services Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde, IAS, who attended as the Guest of Honour. The function was chaired by Ivan Nigli, former MLA and Chairman of the Florence Nightingale Award Committee.
Speaking at the ceremony, U.T. Khader described nurses as the backbone of the healthcare system, acknowledging their tireless service and vital role in strengthening public health, often under demanding conditions. Twelve nurses from across Karnataka were honoured with the Florence Nightingale Award, each receiving a memento and a cash prize of ₹25,000.
A key highlight of the silver jubilee celebrations was the introduction of special award categories. Among the prominent recipients was Thara Machado, Assistant Nursing Superintendent at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru, who received the Silver Jubilee Best Nursing Officer Award in recognition of her nearly three decades of exemplary service.
Other awardees included Seema K. from Taluk Government Hospital, Raichur; Bharathi Mendigeri of Taluk Government Hospital, Belagavi; Leelavathi K.O. of Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru; and Nanda Prakash from Cheluvamba Hospital, Mysuru.
Reflecting on the milestone, Ivan Nigli said the awards, launched in 2000 by the Anglo Indian Unity Centre to honour excellence in nursing, had evolved into one of Karnataka’s most respected recognitions for the profession. Over the past 25 years, more than 250 nurses across the state have been honoured for their exceptional service.
Congratulating this year’s recipients, Nigli said the awardees continue to uphold Florence Nightingale’s legacy of compassion and selfless care in hospitals, primary health centres and rural communities. He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, and Ministers U.T. Khader and Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil for their continued support.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening nursing education, expanding healthcare training opportunities, and recognising the indispensable role nurses play in delivering quality healthcare across Karnataka.
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