Karnataka hails its healers: 12 nurses win coveted honour

BENGALURU: It was a proud moment for the family of M Mallamma, 57. As she walked up to the stage to collect the coveted Florence Nightingale Award, the banquet hall at Vidhana Soudha erupted in applause. While her family was ecstatic, curiosity was writ large on her three-year-old grandson's face. "What's this," the child said, pointing at the award.Mallamma could barely say anything, feeling a lump in her throat.
After 35 years of dedicated service to the poor, Mallamma, who is now the district nursing officer at the training centre in Shivamogga, was recognized for her commitment on Thursday, International Nurses Day.
"I wanted to serve poor patients in rural areas who have no access to advanced treatment in posh hospitals. Just because they don't live in cities and can't afford services at big hospitals doesn't mean they should be refused care. I am glad I have been able to help them," said Mallamma who has delivered more than 100 babies in remote areas.These places have a high infant and mother mortality rate due to lack of nurses and doctors.
Mallamma's daughter Shilpa was overwhelmed. "Although my brother and I used to often complain about not getting to spend enough time with our mother when we were young, now I realize how hard she worked. From managing the household and giving us a good upbringing to caring for patients, she's done it all with utmost dedication," said Shilpa, 30, a lecturer at a government college. "This award is a recognition of her efforts and indomitable spirit," she added.
Among the crowd was a 15-yearold student from St Joseph's Boys High School. He couldn't wait to embrace his mother, Shobha Olgavia Pereira, his eyes brimming with joy. Pereira, 38, assistant chief nursing officer at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, also received the award.
"Raising my son was no mean feat. I had to do night shifts with extended hours. But I never gave up serving humanity . For me, nursing is one of the noblest professions. It is not easy to commit to the job, given the multiple challenges of everyday life. I am proud to belong to this fraternity and will continue to work till I have strength in my bones," said Shobha from Mangaluru who has been in the profession for the past 21 years. She has even worked in Germany for a year.
Mallamma and Shobha were among the 12 recipients of the prestigious award. Karnataka is the only state to host such an event, which was launched in 2000.Twelve nurses, including two nursing students, are honoured every year.
The awardees:
Shaila Prabhavathi, senior staff nurse from KC General Hospital; L Punithavathi, senior nurse from Victoria Hospital; Bernadine McMahon, senior staff nurse from CVRG Hospital; G Kalavathi, staff nurse from VIMS, Ballari; Mary Vas, nursing superintendent from Yenepoya Specialty Hospital in Mangaluru; Meenaxi Manjunath Hegde, assistant nursing superintendent from Manipal Hospital; Dorothy Deena Theodore, principal at Narayana Hrudalaya and R Devakaruna, nursing superintendent at CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital in Mysuru were the other awardees.
Sharad Ryamajhi, first rank holder in BSc nursing from Sri Krishna Rukmini College of Nursing, and Radha HB, who came first in general nursing and midwifery (GNM) from Government School of Nursing District Hospital in Tumakuru, were awarded for their outstanding academic performance.