Qazigund, Nov 19: A retired employee of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar was presented with a national award for his valuable services to the community as a nurse.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the 2021 Florence Nightingale National Awards (NFNA) to nursing professionals at Rashtrapati Bhavan. And for Jammu and Kashmir, the award was given to Ahmedullah Wani who served as a nurse during the most difficult times.
The said award was instituted in the year 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by nurses and nursing professionals to the society.
Wani is a resident of Qazigund an area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. He received his fundamental education from the Govt High School Qazigund, and later did a professional diploma in nursing, in addition, he also did a Post Basic (PB) B.Sc. Nursing.
Wani has served the Department of Health for approximately 40 years and has been a dedicated employee for the well-being of patients. He has also been part of the Infection Control team and worked enthusiastically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am proud today because my work is recognized and it is a special day for me. It was beyond my head that I would meet the President and getting a prize is obviously a dream come true,” he said.
Wani joined the Hospital in 1981. He was posted to the Hospital Infection Control Team for five years and was a nursing supervisor. Later, he was in charge of the COVID-19 unit at SKIMS Soura and retired as a senior nursing officer.
For 40 years, he served as a nurse in SKIMS and was assigned to SKIMS’ first COVID-19 block.
“Leading the first COVID-19 treatment unit in the hospital was a bit difficult, but being part of the infection control team for a while, it helped. Later, we received instructions and the other SOP’s which helped us to run it smoothly,” he said.
Besides, the National Florence Nightingale awards, he has also received “Best Male Nurse – 2020” for conquering Corona as a faculty of the Infection Control Team.
