International Nurses Day marks finale of Nurse’s Week at FMCI

Mangaluru: The Nurse’s Week celebration was inaugurated on Saturday, 6 May 2023 at the Asha Kiran grounds at 7:15 am at the Father Muller Medical College Hospital. After invoking the blessings of the Almighty, Renita Helen Lasrado, Assistant Nursing Superintendent and CNE Co-ordinator, welcomed the gathering. The Nurses Week was inaugurated with the lighting of the Nightingale’s lamp by Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions. Dr Kishan Shetty, Deputy Medical Superintendent, the Guest of honour, unveiled the plaque bearing the theme of the International Nurses Day 2023 followed by the release of helium balloons by all the distinguished guests. Prof.Rev Sr Jacintha Dsouza, Principal, FMCON, Chief Guest enlightened the nurses on the theme and acknowledged that together our future depends on every nurse, every voice, to not only be on the front lines of care but also be on the front lines of change.

The Director, Rev Fr Richard Coelho, delivered the Presidential address and acknowledged the nurses for their tireless contributions to healing and comforting the sick at the hospital. He also encouraged the nurses to participate in the activities scheduled during the Nurses Week. Rev Fr Jeevan Sequeira, Rev Fr Nelson Pais, Rev Fr Rohan Dias, Asst Administrators, spiritual directors, Dr Antony Sylvan Dsouza, Dean, FMMC, Dr Venkatesh BM, NABH co-ordinator, Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing superintendents, Assistant Nursing Superintendents, ward incharges, faculty of college and school of nursing, staff nurses, Hospital assistants, technicians and student nurses graced the occasion. The Inaugural event ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Shanthi Vas, Nursing Superintendent, of Father Muller Medical College Hospital. The Inaugural ended with the institutional anthem followed by the distribution of sweets.

Taking into consideration the time factor, the Nursing Service Department organised literary/art competitions. These events were organised for the nurses and hospital assistants from 4May to 6 May 2023 prior to the official Inaugural. A test on the Continuing Nursing Education topics was conducted on March 29 and 30 for staff nurses and ward incharges on 27 March 2023. Nurses and hospital assistants were divided into seven teams to facilitate active participation from all quarters. There was an active participation in all activities.

A Symposium on the theme of the year “Our Nurses, Our Future” was organised on 8 May 2023 at 11 am in the Hospital conference hall. It was informative and well-appreciated by the audience. A motivational talk was organised on 9 May 2023 at 11 am and 3 pm in the hospital conference hall. Rev Fr George Jeevan Sequeira was the guest speaker. ANS, Ward incharges and staff nurses were present.

International Nurses Day and the Finale of the Nurses Week Celebrations 2023 began with a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration at 7.30 am at St Joseph Chapel. During the Mass, the nurses contributed groceries and household items.

At 11:30 a.m., the felicitation and finale of the Nurses Week was celebrated at the Muller mini Hall. A prayer song performed by the nurses filled the ambience with awe. Prof. Emeritus. Rev. Sr Ann Rose Dalmeida, who has offered 33 years of service in FMCI in various capacities was the Chief Guest and Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, the Director of the Institutions was the President of the Programme. Rev Sr Dhanya Devasia, Chief Nursing Officer accorded a warm welcome to the gathering.

It was followed by a tribute to two stalwarts for their services to ailing society, Rev. Fr Augustus Muller, Founder of Father Muller Charitable Institutions and Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing. Their portraits were garlanded by Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions and Prof. Emeritus. Rev. Sr Ann Rose Dalmeida as a sign of respect.

Mary Lasrado, former Nursing Superintendent of Father Muller Medical College Hospital and a veteran nurse was honoured for her selfless contributions to serving the sick and suffering at these Institutions in various capacities. In her message to the nurses, she emphasized service to the will of God, by being the caring hand, hearing ear and a soul full of empathy.

The CNE test toppers and best nurses were then congratulated by the Chief Guest Prof. Emeritus Rev. Sr Ann Rose Dalmeida who distributed the awards to the recipients.

Best Ward Incharge award: Reshma Nazreth

Best Senior Staff Nurse Award: Maria Florine

Best Staff Nurse Award: Lovson Dsouza

Best Hospital Assistant Award: Nancy Monteiro

Anasuya Sandyalatha, Ward Incharge, secured the highest marks in the CNE test.

Reema Shalet Dcosta, staff nurse, secured first place in the C.N.E. test.

Lavita Pearl Pinto, staff nurse, secured second place in the CNE test.

Neon Laboratories sponsored the Noble Nurse Medals for senior nurses working in High-density units such as MICU, ICCU, SICU, BICU, ICU, NICU, PICU and POST Operative units who are constantly using their product. Rev Sr Dhanya Devasia, Chief Nursing Officer awarded the medals to the recipients.

Rosalynda M
Precilla Dsouza
Sonia Rodrigues
Olivia Dsouza
Flavia Coelho

Fr Ajith Menezes, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College congratulated and distributed the certificates and prizes to the panellists for organising the symposium on the theme “Our Nurses, Our Future” held on 8 March 2023.

Precilla Rodrigues Ward Incharge-Casualty received Certification on “Safe infusion therapy in nursing practice” from American Nurses Credentialing Centre awarded by Rev Fr Jeevan Sequeira, Asst Administrator Fr Muller Medical College Hospital on this occasion.

The CSSD of Father Muller Medical College Hospital has taken part in the ACE (Awareness / Compliance/ Excellence) program organized by CAHO (Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations, a Quality Initiative for CSSD to upgrade the practices and improve Patient Safety and was awarded the trophy at the recent CAHOCON 2023 in the LHCO category. Rev. Fr Nelson Dheeraj Pais handed over the CAHO (Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations) certificates of all the 16 staff members of CSSD to Florine Lobo, CSSD In-charge and the certificates of the Advanced Course to Shanthi D’Souza.

Dr Udaykumar, Medical Superintendent of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, gave Prizes to the winners and the director awarded the rolling trophy to the sandalwood team.

Rev Fr Richard Coelho, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions congratulated the nurses for their untiring services.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Malini Noronha, Assistant Nursing Superintendent and it was followed by a short cultural programme and lunch.