On International Nurses Day, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Florence Nightingale Award on Sister Gita Karmakar, recognizing her four decades of dedicated service. Karmakar, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at Belakoba Rural Hospital in Jalpaiguri, has not only provided compassionate care to patients but also played a pivotal role in advancing the vaccination programme and promoting institutional delivery in remote areas.
Recognition and Nomination
Just weeks before her superannuation, the state health department nominated Karmakar for the award. Colleagues and senior health officials highlighted her contributions as a health supervisor in various public health outreaches, including tuberculosis, thalassaemia, reproductive health, and vaccination programmes.
Colleagues' Praise
Dr. Pritam Bose, Block Medical Officer of Jalpaiguri Sadar, commended her work ethic: "She is hard-working, efficient, and would take hardly any leave. Her humane approach made her popular with patients. She excelled in documenting records. We are proud she received this coveted honour among the nursing fraternity."
Key Responsibilities
Officials noted that Karmakar was responsible for the cold chain point, essential for maintaining vaccines for universal immunization programmes across the block.
Karmakar was among the 15 nurses across India honoured at the event in New Delhi on Tuesday.
