Ameena Mustafa was born on May 19, 1928. After completion of S.S.L.C., Ameena attained a degree in Nursing from Madras.
She was exceptionally hard working and demonstrated a high level of dedication and competency in her work during the cholera and smallpox outbreaks in India during the mid-20th century.
Her sustained commitment enabled her to continuously update her knowledge and skills to better serve the community at large. She pursued a degree in paediatric nursing, got trained in midwifery and did a supervision course.
Sati al-Nisa; The female medical practitioner in Shah Jahan’s court
Ameena Mustafa was known to provide effective primary care to mothers and their children during childbirth and carried out multiple “Maternal and child health programmes” in many districts of the Kerala region of India.
Amina got married to Dr K, M, Qasim Mustafa and had two sons and two daughters. She took a deep interest in gardening and the kitchen during her free time.
The founding VC of Jamia Millia Islamia, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar being examined by a German Doctor, Prof. Von Noorden (6-9-1928). He was a former President of Congress & a great Indian freedom fighter. #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav
Cc @jmiu_official @QaumiJunction @iamrana @irfhabib pic.twitter.com/WlLWneJCXD
— Dr. Zareen Fatima (@DrZareenFatima) May 7, 2022
Ameena worked as a public health nurse in Trivandrum district between 1950-54 and in Quilon district from 1956-62. She excelled in providing primary care despite facing several challenges in rural areas with illiterate people.
Role of Ameena Mustafa
In late 1962, she became a district public health nurse in Allepy district where she was deputed to look after the cholera inoculation and smallpox vaccination, especially in the Muslim area and Nadar caste area of Nagarcoil, Caloulam and Neyyatinkara Taluk.
The government recognized her active participation and contribution in various health-related programmes by awarding her the National Nursing Award Member of the Trained Nurse Association in 1951.
The history of Western Medicine and its rise in Colonial India
She organised the Maternal and Child Health Programme, and Family Planning Programme in the above-mentioned districts. She also became one of the first presidents of the Trained Public Health Nurse Association of Kerala between 1972-74.
Ameena exhibits the quality of lifelong learning and continues to update her knowledge. Her commitment towards a healthy society and her dynamic personality made her a committee member of Muslim Vanitha Samajanm, Alleppey in 1972. She also advocated for equal rights and equal job opportunities for women.
