Syrian Red Crescent Volunteer Awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Masoun al-Rifa’i , a Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) volunteer, has got the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international distinction a nurse is awarded for their exceptional devotion and exemplary services.

In a statement of which the Syrian News Agency SANA got a copy, SARC said that al-Rifa’i, was nominated for the award because he is an emergency medical service personnel, who worked actively and bravely during the crisis and in appreciation for his humanitarian efforts.

 Volunteer Masoun al-Rifa’i, from Homs SARC branch, was awarded the medal by Khaled Hboubati, SARC Chairman, and Philip Spoerri, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Syria within a ceremony attended by members of the organization’s board.

The Florence Nightingale Medal is awarded to nurses or nursing aides for “exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of a conflict or disaster” or “exemplary services or a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.