Nurses are symbol of seva, shushrusha, karuna: Ram Nath Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind has praised nurses on the occasion of International Nurses Day, saying that they play a vital role in the society. He also termed them a symbol of 'seva, shushrusha, karuna' (service, beauty, compassion).

New Delhi: Terming them the symbol of 'seva, shushrusha, karuna' (service, beauty, compassion), President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that nurses play a vital role in delivering quality and cost-effective healthcare.

The president also presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards to nursing personnel here on the occasion of International Nurses Day.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that nurses play a vital role in delivering quality and cost-effective healthcare, addressing multiple health challenges and responding to the health needs of individuals, families and communities.

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"Our nurses serving in Community Health Centres and hospitals, have played an important role in the successful implementation of national health programmes like eradication of polio, malaria and HIV/AIDS. I am happy to note that this year’s awardees have made a commendable contribution in these areas," he said.

"The world is more and more in need of care and compassion, and nurses indeed are a symbol of seva, shushrusha, karuna," he said.

Kovind said that nurses are the face of healthcare services for patients and their families.

The President also said that India has an increasing number of elderly people who deserve and require proper geriatric care.

In India, families take care of our elders in their old age. However, with changing lifestyles the demand for professional care-givers to take care of the elderly is on the rise, he observed.

The President also appealed to all states to implement Ayushman Bharat Yojana.