President Pranab Mukherjee to present Florence Nightingale Awards tomorrow

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee will present the National Florence Nightingale Awards to 35 nursing professionals on International Nurses Day tomorrow.

The Health Ministry had instituted the awards in 1973 as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services of nurses.

"President Pranab Mukherjee will present the National Florence Nightingale Awards to nursing personnel tomorrow at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Nurses Day," an official statement said.

Health Ministry officials said that Health Minister JP Nadda as well as Minister of State for Health Shripad Yesso Naik will also be present on the occasion.

"Until 2014 a total of 306 nurses were decorated with this award. This year, 35 nursing personnel will be conferred with the awards," the statement said.

The Award carries Rs 50,000 cash, a certificate, a citation certificate and a medal.

Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, was born on May 12, 1820 and hence this day is celebrated as International Nurses Day all over the world.