PNS|Vijayawada
State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav underscored the nobility of the nursing profession and urged nurses to introspect whether they are doing justice to the vocation they have chosen. Speaking at the International Nurses Day celebrations held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada, the Minister called upon nurses to serve patients with compassion and an unwavering sense of duty.
The event, organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Nurses & Midwives Council, marked the 205th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing. For the first time, the State instituted Florence Nightingale Awards to honour exceptional contributions by nurses across various categories. “Greet patients with a smile, listen with patience, treat them with compassion, and send them off with joy,” Minister Yadav told the nursing community. He commended those who embody Nightingale’s values by offering care with empathy and dignity.
Highlighting the critical role of nurses in both public health and the economy, the Minister said, “Each additional year in life expectancy boosts economic growth, and nurses are key to achieving this by ensuring healthier lives and communities.” Comparing nurses to soldiers, he called them frontline defenders of public welfare who must balance professional duties with rightful demands.