From Covid-19 frontlines to inflight heroism: Kolkata's Doli Biswas wins National Florence Nightingale Award
Doli Biswas, Chief Nursing Officer at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata, has been honoured with the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Award 2025 for her service and dedication to the field of nursing. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a formal ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. Biswas is among the 15 distinguished nurses from across the country who received the award this year.
The award recognises meritorious services rendered by nurses in India. It is the highest national recognition for nursing professionals in the country, instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
'I was also felicitated by The Trained Nurses' Association of India and the Indian Nursing Council yesterday (Friday) after the completion of the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan,' said Biswas.
With over 27 years of experience in nursing, Biswas is recognised for her clinical expertise, leadership in nursing practice, and compassionate patient care. She completed her specialisation in cardiovascular and thoracic nursing from the BM Birla Heart Research Centre under the West Bengal Nursing Council in 1997. She later pursued a Master's degree in Nursing from the West Bengal University of Health Sciences and earned an MPhil in Nursing from Manipal University. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Medical-Surgical Nursing from Mansarovar Global University, Bhopal.
Biswas played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic and was awarded the Covid Warrior Award in 2022. 'I looked after the bed management, nursing management, and nursing care of corona patients during the Covid-19 wave and arranged green corridors for patients,' said Biswas. It has been learnt that she was instrumental in the development and standardisation of various nursing procedures at Fortis Hospital for 14 years, significantly contributing to quality care initiatives.
In 2024, Biswas was widely appreciated for saving the life of a passenger who suffered a heart attack aboard an Indigo flight from Delhi to Kolkata. The incident occurred on the runway at Delhi's Terminal 3, IGI Airport, just before take-off. Responding swiftly to an onboard medical emergency announcement, Biswas, along with two doctors, provided timely assistance that helped stabilise the passenger. 'When the in-flight medical emergency was announced, I didn't think twice before stepping forward. The passenger showed signs of hypoglycemia and later suffered a heart attack. I immediately administered sugar water, monitored his blood pressure, and identified the cardiac event. With the help of co-passengers, I administered emergency medication, stabilised him, and advised the crew to arrange urgent medical evacuation, and he was safely shifted to a hospital,' said Biswas.
'I addressed a similar medical emergency while on a trip to Kedarnath,' added Biswas.
(Adrija Datta is an intern with The Indian Express)
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