Singaporean nurse to receive International Achievement Award
Dr Subadhra Devi Rai, a senior lecturer at the School of Health Sciences (Nursing) at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) has been awarded the 2015 International Achievement Award by the International Council of Nurses’ (ICN) Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF).
This marks the first time the biennial award has been presented to a Singaporean, NYP announced in a media release on Wednesday (Apr 1). The award, introduced in 1999, is given every two years to a practising nurse with at least 10 years’ nursing experience in a domain of nursing – direct care, education, management or research.
The International Achievement Award will be presented to Dr Rai at the ICN Conference held on Jun 21 this year in Seoul, South Korea. According to NYP, the ICN recognised Dr Rai’s work in the health of women and refugees.
“Subadhra Rai has shown dedication in providing nursing care to vulnerable populations since the beginning of her career,” said Judith Shamian, President of the International Council of Nurses and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation in a press release issued by ICN. “Her special focus on issues such as gender-based violence, sexual health and reintegration of refugees is particularly topical.”
“I am honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. It gives me tremendous joy and encouragement to be part of such a rewarding experience,” said Dr Rai. “I hope that this award sends a powerful message to other nurses out there to serve beyond the healthcare setting, and to be the best nurse that they can be. I also look forward to more people being involved in the community and to have a deeper responsibility towards volunteerism.”
Associate Professor Lim Swee Hia, President of the Singapore Association, said Dr Rai is a “shining example of how nurses can make a difference, affect change and influence policy”.
“Not only has her work helped many people who are victims of unfortunate circumstances, but it has also raised the profile of Singapore’s nurses globally,” she said.
Dr Rai began her career in Singapore, where she worked in an intensive care unit following her general nursing training. She continued her education in Canada where she also worked as a researcher. In 2005, she became a women’s health coordinator at the Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2014, she also received a grant for a project on the health of repatriated refugees from the Thai-Myanmar border, back to Myanmar, said NYP. – CNA/dl
