Kochi | The fifth edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, one of the world’s most prestigious honours for nursing excellence, will be held on 12 September 2026 at the Grand Hyatt, Kochi.
The event will be attended by Shri V. D. Satheesan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, along with Shri K. Muraleedharan, Hon’ble Minister for Health; Shri P. K. Kunhalikutty; Shri Roji M. John; and other distinguished public representatives, senior government officials and healthcare leaders.
Established in 2022, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award has become a global platform celebrating nurses’ extraordinary contributions. This year, the award received an unprecedented response, with more than 134,000 registrations from 214 countries, underscoring its global reach and the growing recognition of nursing excellence.
Previous editions, held in Dubai, London and Bengaluru, honoured exceptional nurses from Kenya, the United Kingdom, the Philippines and Ghana. The 2026 edition will be hosted in Kochi for the first time, bringing the global nursing community to Kerala.
One exceptional nurse will be selected from the Top 10 finalists to receive the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award and a grand prize of USD 250,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 crore). The award is the largest and most significant global recognitions in the nursing profession.
The finalists have been recognised for their outstanding contributions in Patient Care, Nursing Leadership, Nursing Education, Social and Community Service, and Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Executive Chairman, Aster DM Quality Care Ltd., said: “Every entry received for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award carries a story of quiet courage, compassion and excellence. The remarkable response this year reflects something deeper: recognition inspires excellence.
“The depth and diversity of these stories reaffirm our faith in nurses who devote so much of themselves to caring for others. Though only one nurse will be declared the winner, every story shared through this platform strengthens our collective belief in the goodness and nobility of the nursing profession. That, in itself, is the real victory. The truth is that every nurse who applied is already a winner in the lives they have touched.”
Ms. Alisha Moopen, MD & Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare GCC and Executive Director, Aster DM Quality Care Ltd., said, “The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award has been instrumental in identifying nurses from across the world who are committed not just to the care of their patients, but to the wellbeing of society as a whole. These nurses consistently go beyond the call of duty, working quietly towards a better world, often without seeking recognition for the countless lives they touch. Their compassion, resilience, and dedication represent the very best of the nursing profession, and they serve as an inspiration to the next generation of caregivers. It is a privilege for us at Aster, as a global healthcare organisation, to recognise and celebrate their achievements, and to give them the platform they truly deserve.”
The 2026 edition will bring together senior leaders from Aster DM Healthcare and Aster DM Quality Care Ltd., including Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare (GCC); Mr. Varun Khanna, Managing Director and Group CEO, Aster DM Quality Care Ltd.; and Mr. T. J. Wilson, Executive Director, Aster DM Quality Care Ltd.
The finalists were selected through a rigorous, multistage process comprising eligibility screening, a detailed assessment by an independent panel and a final review by a Grand Jury of eminent global healthcare leaders.
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) served as the Independent Process Advisor, ensuring transparency, credibility and integrity throughout the selection process.
