Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin Honours Nurses at 100th Anniversary of Tamil Nadu Nursing Council

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin presented the Best Nurse and Lifetime Achievement Awards to 22 outstanding nurses at the centenary valedictory celebration of the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council held today at Valluvar Kottam.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the council, the Deputy Chief Minister also unveiled the centenary celebration logo and launched the event calendar commemorating the milestone year.

Deputy CM’s Address:

In his speech, Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed his heartfelt happiness to be part of the centenary event of the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council. He extended warm congratulations to Dr. Rajamurthy, President of the Council, acknowledging his leadership and also shared a personal connection, calling him his “foster uncle” who raised him like a second parent.

He noted the vital role of nurses in the healthcare system, stating:

“Before a newborn even sees their mother’s face, it is the face of a nurse they see first. That alone shows the value of your service.”

He also highlighted how nurses were instrumental in caring for Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his recent hospitalization, saying:

“The reason our Chief Minister is back home and in good health today is largely due to the dedication of doctors—and more importantly, the unwavering service of nurses. I sincerely thank you all.”

Udhayanidhi Stalin praised the legacy of the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council, emphasizing its historical significance:

• Established in 1926 during the Justice Party rule through the Madras Nurses and Midwives Bill.
• It was the first formal council in India and Southeast Asia for regulating the nursing profession.
• The quote by Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, who helped pass the bill, was cited:
  “Trained nurses are the cornerstone of modern public health.”

He also credited former Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi for launching in 1989 the Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme, which began as a ₹200 aid and now provides ₹18,000, drastically improving maternal and child health outcomes across Tamil Nadu.

He said:

“Due to this and similar initiatives, Tamil Nadu today leads India in institutional deliveries and in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.”

Udhayanidhi acknowledged the crucial role of nurses during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, many of whom risked their lives and worked day and night, with some even sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

On DMK’s Healthcare Legacy:

He underlined the DMK’s contribution to healthcare infrastructure:

• Establishing Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Taluk and District Hospitals.
• Introducing modern equipment, blood banks, and ultrasound machines.
• He said Karunanidhi even donated his residential home in Gopalapuram to be turned into a hospital, reflecting his lifelong commitment to public welfare.

He closed his address with this affirmation:

“The DMK will always stand with nurses. Let this centenary celebration be a new beginning for even greater service. I congratulate all awardees and thank each and every one of you for your selfless work.”

Dignitaries Present:

• Minister for Health and Family Welfare: Thiru Ma. Subramanian
• Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation: Thirumathi R. Priya
• MLAs: Thiru Dayagam Kavi and Dr. N. Ezhilan
• Officials from the Directorate of Medical Education, Public Health, and Tamil Nadu Nursing Council including Dr. S. Rajamurthy, Dr. Balasubramanian, Dr. Arun Thamburaj, and others.
• Hundreds of nurses from across the state also participated in the event.

— Issued by: Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9