Haldwani nurse wins Florence Nightingale Award

source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Haldwani-nurse-wins-Florence-Nightingale-Award/articleshow/47238096.cms

NAINITAL: For Giby Mol T Mathew (48), serving humanity was the very essence of life.

Working zealously in the nursing profession for the past two decades at Dr Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College and Hospital, Haldwani, she was ecstatic on hearing that she has been selected for the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Award.

Mathew, a nursing superintendent of the sole government medical college which caters to six districts of Kumaon, will be presented the award by President Pranab Mukherjee on International Nurses Day on Tuesday.
Beaming with joy, Mathew, who is in New Delhi to receive the prestigious award, told TOI over phone, "Nursing is a dedicated service and not merely a job. You have to tend to people who are not your family, relatives, friends or close associates. It demands dedication, sensitivity, compassion and empathy in abundance. This is the very essence of humanity."

Reminiscing about her journey in the noble profession, she said, "It was my passion to join the medical profession since childhood. Thankfully, my family was quite supportive and allowed me to pursue my dream."

Born and brought up in Kottayam district of Kerala, she graduated in nursing from Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) in 1990. After meeting love of her life, Harish Lal, a doctor, the couple got married in 1992.

Describing her transition from Kerala via New Delhi to a small town like Haldwani, Mathew said, "It was all about my undying interest in work. It was more than a job for me. My husband hails from Almora and this helped me in dealing with cross-cultural transition."

When Mathew joined the medical college in Haldwani in 1995, it was a lone 140-bed facility. However, in due course of time, it became to be known as Dr Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College and Hospital in 2010.

"Nurses work hard round the clock. There are patients who look up to us for everything. We help them bathe, eat and clean without expecting anything in return," she said revealing some facets of the profession.

On how she managed to balance family and pursue her passion, Mathew said, "My husband is posted as the principal medical superintendent at the district hospital in Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar. My elder son is a 3rd year MBBS student, while the younger one is gearing up for the Class XII board exams. They understand that an equilibrium has to be maintained."

She, however, raised some issues plaguing the nursing sector. "Staff crunch, inadequate equipment and resources, completion of pending projects and security of the staff needs to be addressed."

Meanwhile, celebrations broke out at the hospital as the staff got together to rejoice the achievement.

"This is a proud moment for all of us. The recognition itself explains the work culture in our hospital. We will continue to serve people selflessly," said Alok Upreti, public relations officer of the medical college.