At the age of 80, Hindumbi Kaurom Kakkada continues to serve patients at the Government Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kavaratti, keeping alive a nursing journey that has stretched over five decades. Her extraordinary dedication to healthcare in Lakshadweep, one of India’s most remote regions, has earned her international recognition as she has been named among the Top 10 finalists of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026. Hindumbi was selected from an impressive pool of more than 134,000 registrations representing 214 countries and economies, highlighting the global significance of her decades-long contribution to patient care.

A trained operation theatre nurse, Hindumbi has spent more than 53 years serving the people of Lakshadweep, assisting in over 20,000 surgeries and emergency medical cases. Her career has been shaped by challenges unique to island healthcare, including limited medical resources, difficult transportation, and shortages of essential supplies. When Hindumbi began her nursing career, healthcare facilities across the islands were still developing. Reaching patients in emergencies often meant travelling by fishing boats or naval vessels, while medicines and medical equipment had to be transported from Kochi. During power failures, some critical procedures were even performed under kerosene lamp light.

One of the most memorable moments of her career involved a life-threatening maternal emergency on Agatti Island. A woman suffering from severe bleeding needed immediate medical attention, but advanced facilities were unavailable locally. Hindumbi and her team moved the patient to Kavaratti by fishing boat while managing a blood transfusion during the journey. After reaching the hospital, doctors successfully performed a Caesarean section, saving both the mother and the newborn.

In another challenging incident during the monsoon season, Hindumbi travelled overnight by naval ship to Amini Island to help a woman in labour who could not be transported to Kavaratti. Despite limited equipment and difficult conditions, the medical team successfully carried out a forceps delivery, ensuring the safety of both mother and child. Her contribution extended far beyond hospital duties. Hindumbi actively worked at the grassroots level, visiting homes across Lakshadweep to spread awareness about immunisation, hygiene, preventive healthcare, and safe childbirth practices. She also contributed to public health campaigns, including efforts to control diseases such as cholera, and continued supporting communities during major crises like the 2004 tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although she retired at the age of 60, Hindumbi returned to healthcare within just three months as a contract nurse. Even today, she remains involved in patient care, with many island residents remembering her as the nurse who helped during their birth or stood beside their families during medical emergencies. Her lifelong commitment was recognised nationally in 2023 when she received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Award from the President of India. Her selection as a finalist for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026 has now placed her inspiring story on the global stage.

Speaking about the importance of nurses, Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, said that nurses play a role far beyond bedside care. He highlighted their contribution in identifying healthcare challenges, encouraging innovation, and mentoring future generations of healthcare professionals. He added that the overwhelming participation in the award’s fifth edition, with more than 134,000 entries from across the world, reflects the growing recognition of nurses’ impact on global healthcare systems.

The finalists were chosen through a detailed selection process that included eligibility checks, expert evaluations, and a final review by an international jury. Ernst & Young LLP served as the independent process advisor for the awards. The winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026 will receive the top honour along with a prize of USD 250,000, while the other finalists will also gain international recognition for their contributions to healthcare.

Born and raised in Kavaratti, Hindumbi comes from a family associated with public service. Her father participated in India’s freedom movement and was part of the historic Dandi March with Mahatma Gandhi. She credits her family’s support for helping her continue a demanding career dedicated to improving healthcare access in Lakshadweep. Reflecting on her profession, Hindumbi said nursing is a profession built on compassion and dignity, where caregivers look after patients with the same concern they would show their own family members. The winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026 will be announced at a special ceremony in India in July 2026.