Odisha nurse Krishna Kumari gets Florence Nightingale award 2017

Krishna Kumari, a health worker from Ganjam district of Odisha, has bagged the prestigious Florence Nightingale Award 2017 on the occasion of International Nurses Day.

She was the only one from Odisha among 35 nurses from across the country who were conferred the award by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 12. The award carries a purse of Rs. 50,000, a certificate, a citation and a medal.

The 50-year-old has been working in the community health centre (CHC), Kukudakhandi, in the district. She was awarded for her 18-year-long service in the field of immunisation, female welfare programmes, management of labour room and operation theatre.

“I am very happy to have received this award. I will donate the award money towards the education of orphan children. After returning from New Delhi, I will meet the local MLA (Digaphandi) and civil supplies minister S N Patro as well as the chairman, panachayat samiti, Kamakshya Prasad Patra and urge them to set up a home for orphans in the area,” Krishna said.

Because of her passion for social service, people of all ages know her as Krishna Aka of Krishna Apa (Aka and Apa mean sister). People of Kukudakhandi say when they reach Kukudakhandi CHC, they first seek out Krishna Aka/Apa as her presence brings them confidence.

“She is a role model for others. Her work will inspire others to serve the people,” Ganjam CDMO Manoj Kumar Behera said.

ALSO READ: 1400-year-old idol of Lord Buddha unearthed in Odisha