President Pranab Mukherjee today presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards to thirty-five nursing personnel at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Nurses Day. <br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mukherjee said, nursing professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system and nurses play a vital role in all aspects of healthcare, be it national health campaigns like polio eradication, mid-wife services and community education. <br/><br/>He said, their level of commitment and care are much valued in both urban and rural areas, including remote areas of the country. Mr Mukherjee said, their contribution is critical in the achievement of the nation's healthcare goals. <br/><br/>The President said, their inputs into health sector policies are equally important for they help in creating the necessary supportive work environment for their practice. <br/><br/>Mr Mukherjee said, emerging global threats such as microbial resistance, new pandemics, infections, and natural disasters have added to the pressure and demands on healthcare services and the services of nurses are crucial for a response system that a government creates to meet these challenges. <br/><br/>He said, nursing personnel in the country are increasingly better educated and well-trained and they are now more adept at communicating with patients, and connecting with citizens, communities and policy makers. <br/><br/>He said, in the next fifteen years or so, the nature of their services will undergo significant change and training and capacity building in this field will require new levels of innovation and leadership. He said, the premium all communities in the world place on the sensitivity, empathy and humanity of Indian nurses. <br/><br/>The National Florence Nightingale Awards are given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals in the country. <br/><br/>The Award carries a cash award of 50 thousand rupees, a certificate, a citation and a medal. The International Nurses Day is celebrated all over the world on 12th May every year to commemorate Florence Nightingale's birthday.