Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 14: The Department of Emergency Medicine, Father Muller Medical College (FMMC), Mangaluru, hosted EM Karnataka 2026 – the 6th annual State-level conference, on November 14 in association with the Karnataka Emergency Physicians Association (KEPA).

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), with Dr Shalini Nalwad, director, ICATT and Air Ambulance Services, as the chief guest.

The occasion was graced by Dr Michael Santhumayor, administrator, FMMC; Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, administrator, FMMCH; Dr Antony Sylvan D’Souza, dean, Father Muller Medical College; Dr Bharath Kempanna, president, KEPA; Dr Annaiah Kulal, KMC observer; and Dr Shailaja, organising secretary of the conference.

The theme for this year's conference, 'Climate Change and Emergency Medicine – Preparing for the Health Crisis of Tomorrow', addressed one of the most pressing global health concerns of our times, emphasising the need for preparedness, adaptability and a robust emergency healthcare response in the face of climate-related health challenges.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr Kiran Shetty, professor and head, Department of Emergency Medicine, FMMC, and organising chairman of EM Karnataka 2026.

In her address, chief guest Dr Shalini Nalwad drew a compelling parallel between emergency medicine physicians and mavericks, highlighting their instinctive judgement, clinical acumen and decisive action in critical situations. She observed that the satisfaction of knowing one has done everything possible to save a patient's life is among the greatest rewards of the profession.

She further highlighted the crucial role of emergency medicine physicians in saving lives and preserving the viability of vital organs, thereby enabling organ donation and transplantation wherever possible. Sharing her professional journey, she spoke about her contribution to establishing India's first CRA with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for patient air lift and organ harvesting air transfers. She emphasised how organised air ambulance services have since transformed emergency medical transportation and helped save numerous lives.

Dr Bharath Kempanna, president of KEPA, in his address, called upon emergency medicine physicians, particularly the next generation of practitioners, to cultivate leadership, professional commitment and a strong sense of responsibility towards strengthening the fraternity of Emergency Medicine.

A significant highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the launch of the official website of the Karnataka Emergency Physicians Association, along with the release of the Kannada First Aid Training Manual, ‘Prathama Chikithse' (Thwaritha Ullekha Margadarshi)’.

The manual serves as a practical and illustrated quick-reference guide to essential first-aid procedures, covering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), choking, heart attacks, stroke, bleeding, burns, snake bites and several other medical emergencies. This initiative aims to make essential first-aid knowledge more accessible to the Kannada-speaking population and promote community-level preparedness.

In his presidential address, Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo reflected on a thought-provoking question: “Does a hospital need patients, or does the community need a hospital?” He drew a distinction between a business-oriented healthcare model, which primarily looks at revenue generation, and a community-oriented hospital, which focuses on the determinants of health and the well-being of the population it serves.

He emphasised that a hospital's responsibility extends beyond its walls, as the health needs and circumstances of the community ultimately influence the demand for healthcare services. He reiterated that medicine and healthcare must remain a commitment to the community rather than become merely a business-driven enterprise.

The chief guest, Dr Shalini Nalwad, director, ICATT and Air Ambulance Services, was felicitated on the occasion in recognition of her contributions to emergency medical services.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Shailaja, professor and organising secretary, who expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the institutional leadership, dignitaries, organising committee, faculty members, delegates and all those who contributed to making the state-level conference a resounding success.

The inaugural ceremony was compered by Dr Niveditha and Dr Deeksha.