News from NUINS | Nitte Smart Health Village Project 'Apathbandhu' (A training program of rural volunteers in first aid and emergency care)

As part of Nitte Smart Health Village Project 'Apathbandhu', Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences, NU-MEDISiM, and Dept. of Public Health, KSHEMA jointly organized a training program for rural volunteers in first aid & emergency care, and the launch of 'CoviSwas' - Nitte Covid-19 Home Isolation App on 4th and 5th August 2021 respectively, at the Atal Incubation Centre, Nitte, Karkala.

The program was inaugurated by Shri. N. Vinaya Hegde, Honorable Chancellor, NitteDU. Speaking on the occasion, the Chancellor said that healthcare related issues should be viewed holistically and providing health for all is the need of the hour. This calls for selfless service, dedication, empathy and genuine love for the cause of humanity.

Dr. Satish Kumar Bhandary, Vice Chancellor, NitteDU said, most of the health related problems are the outcome of negligence and lack of awareness. The 'Apathbandhu' is a new initiative aimed at training the rural volunteers in first aid and emergency care. The CoviSwas, Nitte Covid-19 Home Isolation App was released and the 'Apathbandhu' training kit was distributed to the trainees by the Chancellor. Mr. Macwin D'mello, Head, Dept. of Public Health, KSHEMA briefed about the CoviSwas App. Dr. Fatima D Silva, Principal, Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences spoke about the objectives and scope of the ‘Apathbandhu’ training program. Dr. Niranjan N Chiplunkar, Principal, NMAMIT, and Dr. Sankaran, Director, JKSHIM, shared their views on the occasion.

Dr. A P Achar, CEO, AIC Nitte Incubation Center welcomed the guests and invitees and briefed about the program. Dr. Sripad G Mehandale, HoD, Anesthesiology & Critical Care, KSHEMA, proposed the vote of thanks. A total of 14 volunteers from Nitte village were trained for two days in first aid and emergency skills such as hand hygiene, wound dressing, checking vital signs, bandaging and restraining, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, management of poisonous bite, hemorrhage control, trauma care, cervical spine stabilization, shifting & transfer, ORS preparation, management of foreign body aspiration, management of burns and management of convulsion.

The training program concluded on August 05, 2021 at 3.30 pm with a valedictory function. Dr. Sripad G Mehendale was the chief guest and Dr. Srinikethan, President, Institution Innovation Council & Director Technical Research - NET, presided over the program. The Apathbandhu training kit and certificates were distributed to the volunteers.

Dr. Fatima Dsilva presented a summarized view of the two-day training program. Mr. Mackwin D`mello welcomed the gathering and Dr. Neetha Kamath proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Sudhir Raj K, Professor, JKSHIM anchored the program.