London, May 9 : Two nurses from India have been shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious USD 250,000 Global Nursing Award, organized by Aster DM Healthcare, a Dubai-based private healthcare service provider, to recognize the significant contributions of nurses worldwide. Shanti Teresa Lakra, known for her work with Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Jincy Jerry, a Kerala-born nurse based in Ireland, are among the ten finalists who will undergo a public voting process before being evaluated by a grand jury panel. The award ceremony will take place in London on May 12, coinciding with International Nurses Day.
Dr. Azad Moopen, the Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, expressed the importance of honoring nurses and acknowledged their dedication and efforts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shanti Teresa Lakra, a Padma Shri recipient, has dedicated her nursing service to the tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including those affected by the 2004 tsunami. Jincy Jerry, Assistant Director of Nursing for Infection Prevention and Control at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, has been recognized for her innovative work in reducing human error through software solutions and implementing robotic process automation.
The nurses highlighted the challenges they face in their respective roles, including language barriers and socio-economic factors. Both nurses expressed their gratitude for being recognized as finalists and emphasized the importance of providing quality care and utilizing technology advancements in nursing.
The public vote stage will also feature outstanding nurses from England, the UAE, Kenya, Tanzania, Panama, Singapore, Portugal, and the Philippines. The award ceremony in London was chosen by Aster DM Healthcare to pay homage to the strong healthcare tradition of the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) and the birthplace of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
