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Mangaluru: ‘Simulation Lab and Skill Center’ (SLSC) was inaugurated by Joint Secretary of University Grants Commission, Dr (Mrs)­ Manju Singh by cutting the ribbon at the Father Muller Medical College (FMMC), Kankanady here on March 13.

Qualified Simulation Educator, Dr Dinker Pai unveiled the logo of the SLSC after which the SLSC was blessed by Bishop of Shivamogga, Dr Francis Serrao.

A formal inaugural function was organized at the Decennial Hall at FMMC premises after the inauguration.

Dean, Dr JP Alva welcomed the gathering and said, “FMMC is the first college to be accredited by NAAC, NABH and NABL. This is not the end of our growth, but we are thriving for progress and the SLSC is just an example of this. We will not only train skillful doctors but will hold simulation programmes for the public as well so that they may provide first aid and revive a person.” Dr Lulu Sherif introduced the Guest of Honour, Dr Dinker Pai.

Dr Dinker inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries. In his inaugural speech he said, “Medical education has changed from being teacher focused to patient centered curriculum. This change is necessary as, when technology, environment and patients are changing we need to have new techniques of learning and change with times.”

He said that there was a growing need of hi-tech and low cost simulators in India. “We may argue that we don’t need any simulators as medicine didn’t use any simulation equipment before. But we must know that a patients safety is of paramount importance,” he said.

Dr Dinker gave many other reasons, why there was a need of simulators in medical education. He said that budding doctors didn’t get enough time with the patients, patients were getting aware of their rights over medical experiments and medical ethics directed a doctor not to treat patients as guinea pigs. “Simulators can create a situation as many times as you like and here the student can test his skills and improve them,” he added.

He said that the aviation sector was the first to recognize the need of simulations, which had resulted in many disasters being averted. The use of simulations in medical education followed around three decades later. “If there is a plane crash then the pilot loses his life along with the passengers but in medicine it is not so, many be that is why it took so much time to adopt simulations in medicine,” he joked.

Dr Dinker further said, “Father Muller SLSC is going to be the envy of other simulation centers as it is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Many simulation centers begin with quite an enthusiasm in the beginning but then they are not maintained well and generally lose interest, but I am sure that FMMC will not let the SLSC gather dust.”

He said that new technology didn’t mean that traditional methods of teaching had to be discarded as simulators were just learning tools. “FMMC has led the beacon and we have to carry it forward,” he added. The FMMC website, fathermuller.edu.in was re-launched with additional features and a new look by Dr Dinker.

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Director of FMMC, Fr Patrick Rodrigues in his presidential speech said, “We have two dedicated and committed doctors, Dr Sherif and Dr Rithesh D’Cunha who have the knowledge and zeal to make the center a success. Any complicated procedure can be learnt and performed in a simulation center and later performed efficiently in an operation theatre.”

Dr Rithesh delivered the vote of thanks.

By Savney Monteiro, Pics by JP, Team Mangalorean