Singapore, April 1 (IANS): An Indian-origin woman here will receive an international award for her work in the healthcare sector for women and refugees, becoming the first Singaporean to get the prestigious biennial prize.

Subadhra Devi Rai, a senior lecturer at the School of Health Sciences (Nursing) at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), has been named winner of the 2015 International Achievement Award by the International Council of Nurses' Florence Nightingale International Foundation, The Straits Times reported.

Rai, 51, was selected from a pool of nominees worldwide for her "dedication in providing nursing care to vulnerable populations since the beginning of her career", said Judith Shamian, president of the International Council of Nurses and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation.

"Her special focus on issues such as gender-based violence, sexual health and reintegration of refugees is particularly topical," Shamian added.

Rai began her career in Singapore where she worked in the intensive care unit following her general nursing training. It was during her time in Canada's Edmonton Centre for Survivors of Torture and Trauma in 1997 that she began to focus on health issues concerning women and refugees.