•  Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti from Ghana and Khadija Mohamed Juma from Kenya selected among top 10 finalists from over 100,000 global entries across 199 countries
• Winner to be announced at a grand ceremony in Dubai on May 26, 2025, and awarded USD 250,000
• Finalists were selected following a rigorous evaluation process, led by an esteemed panel comprising expert and grand jurors, and independently moderated by the appointed Process Advisors, Ernst & Young LLP.
• Public voting is now open until May 19, 2025. Support your favorite finalist by casting your vote at: https://apo-opa.co/44vBEWR

Two inspiring nurses from Africa - Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti of Ghana and Khadija Mohamed Juma of Kenya - have been named among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, which honors exceptional nurses from around the world for their remarkable service and leadership in healthcare. Chosen from over 100,000 nominations across 199 countries, these two outstanding women exemplify innovation, compassion, and impact in nursing. The winner, to be announced at a grand ceremony in Dubai on May 26, 2025, will receive a cash prize of USD 250,000.

With a career spanning more than 23 years, Naomi has transformed cancer care and education across Ghana and Africa. Based at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana’s foremost cancer treatment center, where she serves as an Oncology Nurse Specialist and Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, she has pioneered specialist training programs in oncology nursing, collaborated with global institutions like the Cross Cancer Institute (Canada), and mentored over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses across the country. Naomi's pioneering leadership helped develop Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015, and her mentorship of over 48 nurses across Africa reflects her broader vision to redefine oncology care standards for the continent.

Naomi’s impact goes beyond borders. She is an influential member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology GM Grant, and a global faculty member with ASCO’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses. Her contributions to research, training, and policy development have redefined oncology nursing competencies continent-wide. Her accolades include the Ministry of Health Excellence Award and the Dr. Dorcia Kisseh International Award—a testament to her dedication to equity, education, and leadership in cancer care.

In Kenya, Khadija Mohamed Juma is making waves through her work as a nurse at Tudor Subcounty Hospital in Mombasa and as the founder of RedSplash, a tech-enabled blood donation platform. At just 29 years old, she is revolutionizing blood donation in Kenya using a Smart Donor Search algorithm to connect donors to patients in real time.

She has led over 500 donation drives, collected more than 25,000 units of blood, and helped save an estimated 75,000 lives. Her work began as a personal mission following the tragic death of a friend’s mother due to delayed transfusions. In response, Khadija founded RedSplash—mobilizing schools, mosques, and communities while breaking myths and promoting voluntary donation. Her model, dubbed “Deliver blood faster than pizza,” challenges the black-market system and aims to build Kenya’s first RedSplash Blood Bank and mobile units in the near future.

Recognized by BBC, DW, and Citizen TV, and celebrated as a Commonwealth Youth Awards Africa finalist, Khadija is not only a healthcare innovator but a rising voice for equity, youth leadership, and gender inclusion in health.

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “The selection of Naomi and Khadija among the top 10 finalists for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is a celebration of Africa’s nursing excellence. Their stories demonstrate extraordinary courage, innovation, and commitment to community health—whether it's transforming cancer care or revolutionizing blood donation systems. These nurses are redefining leadership in healthcare, and through this award, we hope to shine a global spotlight on their exceptional work that continues to save and transform lives.”

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, now in its fourth edition, is among the world’s most coveted recognitions for nurses. The 2025 finalists were shortlisted by an independent process advised by Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and evaluated by an international Grand Jury and Expert Panel. The gala award ceremony will be held in Dubai, UAE on May 26, 2025.

As part of the final selection process, the public is invited to participate in voting for their favorite finalist. The voting period is now open and will continue until May 19, 2025. To cast your vote and show support for these remarkable nurses, please visit https://apo-opa.co/44vBEWR

The top 10 finalists for 2025 includes: Catherine Maree Holliday (Centre for Community-Driven Response, Switzerland), Edith Namba (Mount Hagen Provincial Hospital, Papua New Guinea), Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho (Mediclinic City Hospital, UAE), Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR), Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga (Insight Global Health, USA), Khadija Mohamed Juma (Tudor Subcounty Hospital, Kenya), Maheswari Jaganathan (Cancer Research Malaysia), Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti (Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana), Dr. Sukhpal Kaur (PGIMER, India), Vibhaben Gunvantbhai Salaliya (Hospital for Mental Health, India). To know more about the top 10 finalists, please visit: https://apo-opa.co/3GOSExm