Dh900,000 Aster nursing award: Filipino finalist from UAE wants to help kids with cancer

Dubai: If he wins the $250,000 (Dh900,000) Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, Filipino nurse Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho, one of the top 10 finalists announced on Monday, has a heartfelt mission in mind.

"I was deeply moved by children with cancer when I worked in the paediatric ICU and paediatric oncology unit,” said Camacho, 39, nursing duty manager at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai.

“If I become a winner, I want to share a portion of the prize money to help support such children back home, because I know there are so many kids in countries like the Philippines who cannot afford even one day’s treatment,” he told Gulf News in an interview.

Camacho has been in the UAE for 11 years after his previous stints in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia and has steadily risen through the ranks from a staff nurse to a leadership role.

Though nursing was not his first choice as he originally wanted to study law, peer influence and a growing passion for care led him to a path he now deeply values.

Bigger role

Apart from their medical duty, Camacho believes nurses have a bigger role to play in society. “We need to be sympathetic and empathetic while dealing with patients and their families, as many of them go through immense trauma," he said.

“Beyond day-to-day clinical and leadership responsibilities, I’ve been actively involved in several key initiatives that aim to enhance patient safety and quality of care," he said.

One of the projects he is proudest of is the implementation of the Pediatric Sepsis Bundle, which has significantly improved early identification and timely management of sepsis in critically ill children.

"I was also part of the commissioning team for our Pediatric Oncology Unit, helping to build the service from the ground up—from workflows to staff training—ensuring safe, compassionate care for children undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, I led a Quality Improvement Project focused on IV safety, which reduced complications related to intravenous therapy through evidence-based practices and frontline staff education. These initiatives reflect my commitment to raising the standard of pediatric care in our institution,” he explained.

Educator and volunteer

As a nurse educator, he has led several health initiatives across the region. These include founding Life Support Training Centres in two Abu Dhabi hospitals in partnership with the American Heart Association, and launching Continuous Medical Education (CME) and upskilling programmes for nurses.

He was also instrumental in offering free education to several nursing assistants through the certified courses for nursing assistants.

Camacho also actively supports voluntary missions such as 'Operation Smile,' helping provide free surgeries for children with cleft conditions. “I’ve joined around five missions, helping nearly 90 children,” he said.