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Filipino nurse Maria Victoria Juan was a young child when her aunt, a military nurse, died of gunshot wounds while on her way to a mission. However, this tragic event did not deter her from pursuing a career as a military nurse. On Thursday, she was honored with a prestigious nursing award for her significant contributions to improving survival rates, particularly in conflict zones. Maria clinched the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024, surpassing 78,000 other applicants, and was awarded a grant exceeding Dh900,000 at a grand ceremony held in India.
"I was in disbelief when they announced my name," she shared with Khaleej Times over the phone. "This grant will enable me to continue the work that I am deeply passionate about. Nurses have the potential to make a profound impact on their communities and nations, and I am committed to giving back as much as possible."
During her tenure as the Chief Nurse of the Philippines Army, Maria spearheaded the establishment of the first aeromedical evacuation system within the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This innovative system has markedly enhanced survival rates by facilitating swift evacuation and early medical intervention, especially in conflict-ridden areas.
Maria's firsthand experience as a junior officer in a field hospital profoundly influenced her career trajectory. She recounted, "There was a soldier on the brink of death due to severe injuries. As he heard the approaching helicopter, he regained consciousness, and we managed to save him. Initially, I thought this was a singular case, but my subsequent experiences revealed otherwise. When patients believe they will be rescued promptly, they often fight harder to survive."
This realization led her to advocate for an air ambulance system to swiftly transport wounded soldiers, thereby boosting their morale to continue fighting for their country. However, the Philippine army lacked an air ambulance, and the investment required was substantial. Undaunted, Maria collaborated with doctors and aviation teams to train them in evacuating wounded soldiers. "After the joint training, we repurposed existing combat air assets for rescue operations," she explained. "Eventually, we secured leadership support to invest in an air ambulance."
In its first year of operation, the air ambulance has already saved the lives of one critically wounded soldier and nine battle casualties. "Due to the system's success, the army is now committed to acquiring a larger air ambulance," she noted.
Currently, Maria serves as a consultant for the Philippine Army Health Services and holds the rank of Colonel in the Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. She plans to allocate her USD250,000 grant to initiatives close to her heart, including the integration of vetiver grass technology to combat soil erosion and water pollution, and equipping households with life-saving medical and trauma response tools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria played a pivotal role in organizing the Endurun Mega Swabbing Centre, training troops as medical swabbers and coordinating healthcare professionals. The centre conducted nearly 500,000 tests, significantly bolstering the nation's pandemic response efforts.
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