BANGKOK, 21 October 2011 – The Maldives’ Health Minister Aminath Jameel has been made recipient of the Princess Srinagarindra Award for the year 2011. She received the award from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
In the royal citation, Her Royal Highness the Princess Maha Chakri, president of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation said Dr Aminath has laid down a strong foundation for the health service and the progress of the nursing and midwifery profession in the Maldives by pushing for the opening of a diploma course in the field, enabling the country to produce its own capable personnel, thus lessening the dependence on imports of foreign nurses and midwives. Dr Aminath has also pushed for the manufacturing of medicinal drugs in her country and paved way for rural villagers living in remote islands to have access to national health service. As a result, Dr Aminath has been selected to hold the post of Minister of Health since 2008. She has been recognized by both people and colleagues as a model of good and efficient nurse who has ceaselessy campaigned for the promotion of public health.
The Princess Srinagarindra Award was created in 2000 to commemorate the Centenary Birthday Anniversary of late Princess Mother Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Mahidol. It is granted each year to individual registered nurse and/or registered midwife or group of registered nurses and/or midwives who have made a significant contribution for the development of the nursing and midwifery profession and/or quality of life and health of people at local and international levels. The award presentation usually takes place a day ahead of the Princess Mother’s birthday on 21 October.
