Nilima Pradeepkumar Rane, a nurse from India has been named one of the top 10 finalists for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award – a recognition given to outstanding nurses who have significantly contributed to the field of healthcare. Competing for a 2-crore prize, Rane’s selection underscores the critical role nurses play in healthcare systems worldwide.
With an impressive tenure of 39 years in healthcare, Rane currently serves as the President of Nursing Association – Goa State branch and is a member of the Indian Nursing Council. Her advocacy for nurses’ rights and her contributions to advancing nursing education in Goa have earned her international recognition. In 2014, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Goa Nursing Council, which has championed the rights and welfare of nurses statewide. Under her leadership, accredited nursing schools were set up, increasing the number of qualified nurses entering the profession annually and addressing a critical healthcare workforce gap.
Rane has also successfully petitioned Goa’s Public Health Department for study leave for nurses pursuing part-time graduate and post-graduate degrees, fostering professional growth. Her efforts have led to progress in ensuring fair compensation for nurses, particularly in addressing pay discrepancies faced by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM). Additionally, at Goa Medical College and Hospital, where she served as Assistant Matron, she implemented initiatives to improve healthcare practices, including biomedical waste segregation and enhanced workplace safety standards.
The top 10 finalists for 2024 include, Archimedes Motari, Kugitimo Health Centre, Kenya; Johnsy Inni, Immanuel Lutheran Rural Hospital, Papua New Guinea; Laarni Conlu Florencio, New York Presbyterian, USA; Lilian Nuwabaine, Aga Khan University School of Nursing Midwifery, and Manyangwa Best Medical Services Center, Uganda; Nelson Bautista, Tawam Hospital, UAE; Nilima Pradeepkumar Rane, President of Nursing Association – Goa state branch, India; Maria Victoria Juan, Consultant at Philippine Army Health Services, Philippines; Martin Schiavenato, Gonzaga University, USA; Hoi Shu Yin, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore; and Sylvia May Hampton Wound Care Consultants, England.