3-in-1 Bash: Founders’ Day, Best Employee Felicitations, and Nurses Day at KMC
Mangaluru: Thursday, 10 May evening at Kasturba Medical College Hospital Auditorium-Attavar, Mangaluru witnessed three in one extravaganza, where the Founders’ Day of legendary Dr TMA Pai; Felicitations of Best Employee; and International Nurses Day was celebrated all under ONE roof on ONE Day! Founder of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dr T.M.A. Pai was fondly remembered on his 120th birthday. Every year, this day is significant in the calendar of the University. The “Founders’ Day” is celebrated with family members, officials, staff and students paying tributes to the legend.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song, followed by welcome address by Dr Ananad Venugopal- Medical Superintendent, KMC Hospitals-Mangaluru. Dr Venkatraya Prabhu-Dean, KMC Mangaluru quoting few words of Swami Vivekananda soke about Dr TMA Pai and also about the Awards that are bestowed on good employees every year. He said, ” Dr TMA Pai was a man of many parts and a man for all seasons. Dr TMA Pai who struggled and toiled to raise the hillock in Manipal into an education hub, is one of the best in the country and well-known world over. Dr Pai’s achievements were not confined to institutions of higher education alone, he was also responsible for starting banking institutions, high schools, colleges of arts and sciences. Dr Pai was committed to the society and the people overall. He is a role model for all of us, and by celebrating his birthday/Founders; Day is a befitting tribute one can offer him”
The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp and also showering flower petals on the portraits of Dr TMA Pai and also that of Florence Nightingale-the Founder of Modern Nursing by chief guest Dr Rajeshwari- District Surgeon and Superintendent of Govt Wenlock Hospital-Mangaluru, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Dr Ananad Venugopal, Dr Venkatraya Prabhu, Dr K R Shetty-Former KMC Principal, Saghir Siddiqui- Unit Head and Regional Chief Operating Officer-KMC, Mangaluru, and Ms Gracy Lobo and Ms Biji Wasim, both Nursing Supervisors.
Three employees namely Ms Nagaveni Shetty-Lead Officer; Neeta-in Nursing Department; and Yashawanth- Store in charge were felicitated with shawl, sash, memento and cash for selected as Best Employees of the Year. Prizes were also distributed to the winners in various competitions held during the celebrations. A brief story of Florence Nightingale was delivered by a staff nurse, which was followed by an elaborate speech by Dr K R Shetty, who narrated a couple of stories of his medical students during his tenure as Principal of KMC-Mangaluru.
While this year “International Nurses Day is observed with a theme “Nurses-A Voice to Lead-Health is Human Right”, the chief guest Dr Rajeshwari spoke on the topic ‘Health is Human Right” saying, “The human right to health means that everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, which includes access to all medical services, sanitation, adequate food, decent housing, healthy working conditions, and a clean environment. The human right to health guarantees a system of health protection for all. Everyone has the right to the health care they need, and to living conditions that enable us to be healthy, such as adequate food, housing, and a healthy environment. Health care must be provided as a public good for all, rich and poor, financed publicly and equitably.”
“The human right to health care means that hospitals, clinics, medicines, and doctors’ services must be accessible, available, acceptable, and of good quality for everyone, on an equitable basis, where and when needed. Access to health care must be universal, guaranteed for all on an equitable basis. Health care must be affordable and comprehensive for everyone, and physically accessible where and when needed. Adequate health care infrastructure, goods, and services must be available in all geographical areas and to all communities. Health care institutions and providers must respect dignity, provide culturally appropriate care, be responsive to needs based on gender, age, culture, language, and different ways of life and abilities. They must respect medical ethics and protect confidentiality” added Dr Rajeshwari.
She further said, ” All health care must be medically appropriate and of good quality, guided by quality standards and control mechanisms, and provided in a timely, safe, and patient-centered manner. Health care must be accessible and provided without discrimination based on health status, race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexuality, disability, language, religion, national origin, income, or social status. Health information must be easily accessible for everyone, enabling people to protect their health and claim quality health services. Individuals and communities must be able to take an active role in decisions that affect their health, including in the organization and implementation of health care services. Private companies and public agencies must be held accountable for protecting the right to health care through enforceable standards, regulations, and independent compliance monitoring.”
Dr Rajeshwari gave five objectives of Health is Human Right”- Universality: Everyone must have access to equal high-quality and comprehensive health care; Equity: Resources and services must be distributed and accessed according to people’s needs. We get what we need and give what we can; Accountability: The health care system must be accountable to the people it serves; Transparency: The health care system must be open with regard to information, decision-making, and management; and Participation: The health care system must enable meaningful public participation in all decisions affecting people’s right to health care.”. Before concluding, She appreciated and thanked the constant support and encouragement she receives from the doctors and management of KMC towards Wenlock Hospital”
The programme was graced by many well-wishers, employees and their family members, and a bevy of KMC fraternity namely Dr Alfred Augsutine, Dr Unnikrishnan, Raviraj, Rakesh, Ms Premalatha, among many others. The vote of thanks was delivered by the compere of the programme, Udaya Shanker-KMC Maintenance dept. Team Mangalorean wishes all the Nurses-the “Angels of Mercy” a HAPPY NURSES DAY’ on 12 May.
