…Lawrence-Uchenna, a former Health Coordinator of Nigerian Red Cross Society
Chinwe Lawrence-Uchenna has been awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal for her exceptional courage and devotion to victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.
The award also recognized exemplary service or a pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.
Lawrence-Uchenna, former Health Coordinator of the Anambra state branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society was named among 37 outstanding nurses from 22 countries.
The recipients were nominated by their respective National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society and selected by a commission comprised of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Council of Nurses.
Lawrence-Uchenna, a registered Nigerian nurse that recently moved to the United Kingdom, has been active in conflict and disaster situations, notably with the British Red Cross, the Australian Red Cross, the ICRC and the IFRC.
A Senior Staff Nurse with the Royal Berkshire NHS Fondation Trust, UK, Lawrence-Uchenna, through the award has proven her mettle within two years of her migration to the UK.
She also pioneered the Maiden Malnutrition health programme in collaboration with the LGA Nutrition department where RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) was used to reach out to Malnourished Children within the 21 divisions of the Red Cross society in Anambra State.
She was active during the Covid -19 outbreak within the State, organising trainings on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Psychosocial support and in collaboration with the state.
She also organised First Aid Trainings within different parastatals in the state and responded to emergencies within the branch in line with the Red Cross guidelines.
A regular voice of Radio talk Shows, namely Health matters on Ogene FM and Red Cross half hour in other radio stations, Lawrence-Uchenna is very passionate about Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and did her best to showcase that during her period as an Npower Nurse at MCH Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
Lawrence-Uchenna, through this unprecedented feat, has put Nigeria on the world map.
