DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti from Ghana has been named the winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, selected from 100,000 applications from 199 countries. An Oncology Nurse Specialist and Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, she was recognised with USD 250,000 at a prestigious ceremony held in Dubai, UAE.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award was launched in 2021 to recognize the invaluable role of nurses in healthcare. The award was presented by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, UAE in presence of Dr Azad Moopen and Alisha Moopen. During this year’s ceremony, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, shared a special message applauding Aster’s effort in putting a spotlight on the contributions of nurses worldwide.

Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti said, “For over two decades, I’ve witnessed the inequities in cancer care firsthand and dedicated myself to closing these gaps through training, outreach, and system-level change. This award will help amplify our impact - scaling training, building faculty, and inspiring the next generation of oncology nurses across Africa.”

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chaiman, Aster DM Healthcare stated, “Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti has redefined what it means to be a nurse - not just as a caregiver but as an innovator, leader, and changemaker. Her contributions uplift not only patients but the entire healthcare ecosystem, setting a gold standard for others to follow.

Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare added, “Naomi Ohene Oti’s story is a powerful reminder of the quiet heroism that unfolds every day in hospitals, clinics, and communities across the world. We are incredibly proud to shine a global spotlight on her work, and through her, honour the millions of nurses who keep healthcare systems running and humanity thriving.”