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Alliance Celebrates Three ASAM Founding Directors Awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026
Author: Sally Nyinza, Vice Chair, Alliance of International Nurses and Midwives Diasporas – UK (AINMD-UK) - Posted: 30-06-2026
The Alliance of International Nurses and Midwives Diasporas – UK (AINMD-UK) is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of three founding directors of the Association of South Asian Midwives (ASAM), who have each been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.
Nafiza Aktar Anwar MBE, Benash Nazmeen MBE, and Sundas Khalid MBE have each been appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of their outstanding services to charity and healthcare.
Their individual and collective contributions have helped shape maternity care, champion health equity, and strengthen support for women, families, and healthcare professionals across the United Kingdom.
This is an exceptional achievement and a testament to years of visionary leadership, dedication, and service. Through the establishment and growth of ASAM, these three leaders have worked tirelessly to promote culturally responsive maternity services, support the professional development of midwives, influence policy, and advocate for equitable healthcare for diverse communities.
Their recognition reflects not only personal excellence but also the strength of collaborative leadership. Together, they have demonstrated how shared vision, partnership, and commitment can drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for the communities they serve.
As one of AINMD-UK’s valued member organisations, ASAM continues to play an important role in advancing professional excellence, fostering inclusion, and promoting collaboration across the nursing and midwifery diaspora. The Alliance is honoured to work alongside ASAM in pursuing our shared commitment to improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, and supporting the development of a diverse and empowered healthcare workforce.
National honours such as these serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of nurses, midwives, and healthcare leaders. They remind us that leadership rooted in compassion, innovation, and service has the power to transform lives and strengthen our health systems.
On behalf of AINMD-UK, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nafiza Aktar Anwar MBE, Benash Nazmeen MBE, and Sundas Khalid MBE on this well-deserved recognition. We celebrate your achievements with immense pride and look forward to continuing our partnership as we collectively champion excellence, equity, and inclusion within healthcare.
Congratulations on this outstanding and richly deserved national honour.
Dr Ariel Lanada
Author: AINMD-UK News - Posted: 24-06-2026
Many congratulations to AINMD-UK Chairperson, Ariel Lanada, on being awarded his Doctor of Education (EdD) degree.
Nursing Times Article about the Alliance - 2 February 2026
Source: Nursing Times - Author: Steve Ford - Posted: 18-02-2026
Steve Ford, Editor of Nursing Times, has kindly shared a copy of the article he wrote following his attendance as MC of the Oath Taking Ceremony held in Oxford on 30 January 2026.
Officers Oath Taking Ceremony
St Hilda's College Oxford - 30 January 2026
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On 30th January 2026, at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, the Alliance of International Nurses and Midwives Diasporas in the UK (AINMD-UK) formally came in to being at an officer’s oath taking ceremony.
The oath-taking was conducted by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, James Macnamara and the formal part of the proceedings were hosted by Steve Ford, Editor of Nursing Times.
Distinguished guests included HE Sara Amani, Ambassador, République de Côte d'Ivoire; Hon. Aquinas Quansah, Deputy High Commissioner, Republic of Ghana; Bejoy Sebastian, President, Royal College of Nursing, Professor Greta Westwood, CEO, Florence Nightingale Foundation; Professor Lorraine Dixon, Director of the Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery; Angela Knight-Jackson, CNO Team, NHS England; Tracey MacCormack, Assistant Director for Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Council; Nurjahan Ali Arobi, National Workforce Delivery Lead, Skills for Care.
The seven officers of the Alliance sworn in were: Ariel Lañada, Chair (Filipino Nurses Association UK); Charity Gladstone MBE, Vice-Chair (Malawian-UK Nurses Association); Sally Nyinza, Vice-Chair (Kenyan Nurses & Midwives Association UK (KENMA-UK)); Reema Elvira D’Souza, Secretary (British Indian Nurses Association); Tim Mugerwa, Secretary (Uganda Nurses and Midwives Association UK); Louie Horne BEM, Press Relations Officer (Filipino Senior Nurses Alliance UK); Elizabeth Pearson, Press Relations Officer (Diaspora Uganda Nurses Midwives Society).
Following the oath-taking, the Chair of the Alliance said:
“As an alliance, we represent diverse nations, cultures, and professional journeys, yet we are united by a common purpose: to improve the lives of healthcare workers, enhance patient care, and strengthen the communities we serve.”
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