Anne Qabale Duba, a Kenyan nurse, was crowned the World’s Best Nurse in the inaugural Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award ceremony.
The ceremony was held on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Atlantis Hotel in the UAE.
A jury of ten contenders chose Duba in a dazzling ceremony full of pomp and colour, and was awarded Ksh 29 million.
The honor garnered nominations from over 24,000 nurses worldwide, demonstrating the significance of Duba winning the award.
After accepting the Award, the nurse could not contain her emotions as she conveyed her thanks for the opportunity to serve her country.
“I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be acknowledged and celebrated in such a way. This is a win for Kenya, for Africa and the girls in the villages,” she said.
Duba, the founder of the Qabale Duba Foundation in Marsabit, Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, stated that she is dedicated to fighting for equality and pushing against damaging cultural practices in society, such as FGM.
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Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports and CEO of Emirates Airlines and Group, gave the honor to Duba, who also celebrated her wedding anniversary today.
The other nine finalists did not leave empty-handed, each receiving Ksh 580,600.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is an international award that recognizes and honors nurses who have made exceptional contributions to healthcare.
The award was first announced in 2021 and the inaugural ceremony was held in 2022.
It is presented by Aster DM Healthcare, a major healthcare provider based in the United Arab Emirates.
The award aims to recognize nurses in five key areas: patient care, nursing leadership, nursing education, social/community service.and research/innovation.
The selection process involves an initial screening by Ernst & Young, followed by a shortlist of 10 finalists who participate in a panel discussion with a grand jury.
The winner is then chosen through a public vote.
In 2022, the first award was given to Duba who was recognized for her work on girls’ education and against female genital mutilation.
In 2023, the award went to Margaret Shepherd, a nurse from England who established a national network for genetic diabetes nurses.
