Kenyan nurse shortlisted for prestigious Aster Award

By Peter Ochieng

A Kenyan nurse has been shortlisted for the Aster Guardian Global Nursing Award 2024.

Indian firm, Aster DM Healthcare initiated the Award in 2022 to recognize the phenomenal contribution of nurses to humanity.

Archimedes Motari, a nurse at Kugitimo Health Centre in Migori County is among the 10 crème-dela-crème who will be competing for the Award, which comes with a mouthwatering monetary value.

He made the cut after he revitalised community healthcare, focusing on at-risk individuals like pregnant women and young children.

His efforts, according to asterguardians.com, led to zero maternal deaths, a 92% increase in skilled childbirth attendance, and over 70% fewer perinatal deaths in the first year.

“The community’s support reflects his dedication, fostering solidarity and empowerment for societal betterment.”

Archimedes led initiatives to improve patient care and healthcare infrastructure, resulting in a notable reduction in maternal and perinatal deaths, with maternal deaths eliminated in the first year.

“His dedication to nursing education and community empowerment inspired youth to pursue nursing careers and empowered households with trained nurses. His commitment to quality care earned recognition from influential figures, highlighting his impact on maternal and perinatal health promotion.”

During a recent media interview, he said his dream is to become Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for health.

“Everyone is capable of being one and I want to become health cabinet secretary in my country or among the top health stakeholders in Africa, this is my biggest dream.”

He was shortlisted from a pool of more than 78,000 nurses from 202 countries globally who applied for the Award.

The winner will be revealed at a gala event in Bengaluru, India, in December 2024. The winner will walk home with US$250,000 (Ksh.32,000,000).

If Motari wins, he will become the second Kenyan to land the Award.

His competitors are from Singapore, New Guinea, US, Uganda, Philippines, USA, United Arab Emirates, US, India and England respectively.

In 2022, Nurse Anna Qabale Duba from Marsabit County emerged victorious from amongst 24,000 nurses.