National Florence Nightingale Award for Sikkim’s healthcare worker

GANGTOK,: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay has congratulated Madhu Mala Gurung, Senior ANM of Rangpo PHC, on being conferred with the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Award 2026.

The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on Tuesday, in recognition of her outstanding nursing excellence and dedicated service to society.

“We are proud of her remarkable achievement and invaluable contribution to healthcare. Wishing her continued success and inspiration in the noble field of healthcare,” said the Chief Minister on social media.

The National Florence Nightingale Awards were instituted in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by nursing personnel to society.

Madhu Mala Gurung, the Senior Auxiliary Nurse Midwife at Rangpo PHC, was honoured for her remarkable service spanning 38 years to the society. She has demonstrated unwavering commitment to public health, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, consistently rising above challenges to serve those in need. Her professionalism, ethical conduct, and disciplined patient-centric approach, often extending beyond the call of duty, have set a benchmark in community healthcare. Her outstanding contributions have been duly recognised and appreciated by district and State health authorities.

Governor Om Prakash Mathur also congratulated Madhu Mala Gurung, Senior ANM of Rangpo Primary Health Centre, on being honoured with the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Award 2026.

It is a moment of great pride for Sikkim and Healthcare professional that Madhu Mala Gurung being honoured with National Florence Nightingale Award 2026 by President of India in recognition of her outstanding nursing excellence and dedicated service to society during the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating GLOF 2023, said the Governor.

The Governor lauded her professionalism, dedication and devotion in providing nursing care to society.

It may be mentioned that Madhu Mala Gurung’s son, Dr. Pushkar Gurung is currently serving as a Medical Officer at Lok Bhavan.

Similarly, the Governor also conveyed his greetings on the occasion of International Nurses Day, and acknowledged the invaluable contribution of nurses in strengthening the healthcare sector.

In her message for the National Florence Nightingale Awards - 2026, the President said, “This occasion is a fitting tribute to the invaluable contribution of nursing personnel and healthcare professionals who serve the nation with compassion and unwavering dedication. Nursing personnel exemplify the highest standards of service and play a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare, often in the most challenging circumstances. I commend all the awardees for their inspiring devotion to duty and their tireless efforts in upholding the highest standards of patient care.”