Lakshadweep’s Hindumbi Kakkada shortlisted among world’s top 10 finalists for global nursing award

For more than five decades, Hindumbi Kaurom Kakkada has been the face of emergency healthcare across the remote islands of Lakshadweep, treating critically ill patients during rough sea transfers, assisting surgeries amid power outages and helping build trust in institutional healthcare in communities once resistant to modern medicine.

Now, the veteran theatre-trained nurse from Government Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kavaratti has been named among the top 10 finalists for the 2026 edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, selected from more than 134,000 registrations spanning 214 countries and economies.

The award, instituted by Aster DM Healthcare, carries a grand prize of USD 250,000 for the winner, while the remaining finalists will receive international recognition and rewards for their contribution to healthcare.

Kakkada’s selection shines a spotlight on a lifetime of service delivered in one of India’s most geographically isolated regions, where healthcare workers often battle severe logistical and infrastructural challenges.

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Talking to the Firstpost, Kakkada said “I am very happy after being selected among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious award. I have spent my entire life serving people in Lakshadweep, often in difficult situations and remote islands where healthcare access was limited. This recognition is not just for me but for all nurses who continue to work selflessly in challenging conditions to save lives and support their communities.”

Kakkada has provided dedicated nursing assistance in over 20,000 surgeries and emergency cases across her 53-year career. Her work included sustaining care in high-risk situations such as conducting medical procedures during sea evacuations and maintaining continuity of treatment during power failures.

Beyond clinical duties, she played a significant role in transforming public health behaviour in Lakshadweep by encouraging institutional deliveries, vaccinations and preventive healthcare in communities where acceptance was once limited. She also contributed to disease-control and outbreak-response initiatives including cholera containment efforts.

Her journey in nursing has long been witnessed by extraordinary stories of resilience. In 2023, Kakkada was conferred the National Florence Nightingale Award by President Droupadi Murmu for her contribution to nursing services.

Kakkada, regarded as Lakshadweep’s first native nurse, had joined Kozhikode Medical College for nursing training in 1968 before beginning service at Kavaratti Hospital. At the time, most nurses serving the islands came from the mainland on deputation.

Over the years, she became known for handling medical emergencies between islands where sea travel was often the only option.

Announcing the finalists, Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, said nurses remain the backbone of healthcare systems globally.

“The role of nurses extends far beyond bedside care. Their commitment, dedication, and compassion make them the backbone of healthcare systems across the world. They are often the first to identify gaps in the system, drive innovation, and mentor the generation of healthcare professionals,” he said.

He added that the overwhelming response to the fifth edition of the award reflected the scale of nurses’ impact worldwide.

“The Top 10 finalists are driving meaningful change at scale, often in some of the most challenging healthcare environments,” Moopen said.

Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, said this year’s finalists represented a generation of nursing leadership focused on “sustainability, scalability and long-term impact.”

“One of the most encouraging themes this year is how nurses are not only delivering impact today, but actively building capacity for the future,” she said.

The fifth edition of the global award has seen a sharp rise in participation compared to the previous year, which had received over 100,000 entries from 199 countries.

For Lakshadweep, Kakkada’s inclusion among the world’s top nursing finalists marks another milestone in the career of a nurse whose service has become deeply woven into the islands’ healthcare history.