Media Release
Mangaluru, may 12: The Nurses' Week celebration was inaugurated on Saturday May 7 at the Asha Kiran grounds. After invoking the blessings of the Almighty, Helen Lobo, nursing superintendent, welcomed the gathering.
The Nurses' Week was inaugurated with the lighting of the Nightingale lamp by Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions. Dr Antony Sylvan D'Souza, dean, FMMC, the guest of honour, unveiled the plaque bearing the theme of the International Nurses' Day 2022 followed by release of helium balloons by all the distinguished guest.
Fr Rudolph Ravi D'Sa, administrator FMMCH, chief guest enlightened the nurses on the theme focusing the true value of nurses to the people of the world and appreciated the nursing fraternity at the Father Muller Medical College Hospital for their dedication to the profession. Sr Dhanya Devasia, chief nursing officer, FMMCH offered a present to the chief guest Fr Rudolph Ravi D'Sa, as a token of appreciation. The director, Fr Richard Coelho, delivered the presidential address and acknowledged the nurses for their tireless contributions in healing and comforting the sick at the hospital. He also encouraged the nurses to participate in the activities scheduled during the nurses week. The inaugural event ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Renita Lasrado, assistant nursing superintendent and CNE co-ordinator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital. The Inaugral ended with the institutional anthem followed by 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 April 28 to May 4 prior to the official inaugural celebrations. A test on the Continuing Nursing Education topics was conducted on February 9 and 10 for staff nurses and April 29 for ward incharges. Nurses and hospital assistants were divided into seven teams to facilitate active participations from all quarters. There was indeed an active participation in all activities. A talk on Happy nurses - Kind smile cures diseases was organised on May 6 at 3 pm in hospital conference hall. Fr Rudolph Ravi Dsa was the guest speaker. ANS, ward incharges and staff nurses were present. A symposium on the theme of the year was organised on May 9 and 10. It was informative and well appreciated by the audience.
The International Nurses' Day and the finale of the Nurses' Week Celebrations 2022 began with a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration at the St Joseph Chapel. During the Mass, the nurses contributed grocery and house hold items which will be distributed to the poor homes looking after the sick and aged.
The felicitation and finale of the Nurses' Week was celebrated at the Academy Hall. A prayer song performed by the nurses filled the ambience with awe. Sr Deepa Peter, principal, Athena College of Nursing graced the programme as the chief guest and Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director of the Institutions was the president of the Programme.
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 the ailing society, Fr Augustus Muller, founder of Father Muller Charitable Institutions and Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing. Their portraits were garlanded by Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions and Sr Deepa Peter, principal, Athena College of Nursing as a sign of respect. A report of the activities and events of the Nurses' Week 2022 was read out by Renita Lasrado, assistant nursing superintendent and CNE co-ordinator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital.
Sr Ellen Marie was honoured for her selfless contributions in serving the sick and suffering at these Institutions in various capacities. In her message she opined to the nurses to strive for inner peace rather than the outward showings. She reminiscence about her struggle to reach upto the nursing superintendents post, all the while being a religious. Her vocation and profession matched, both had the nature of caring and nurturing.
The CNE test topper , best nurses and panelists of the symposium were congratulated by the chief guest.
Sr Deepa Peter, chief guest distributed the awards to the recipients.
1. Late Geetha Srestha Memorial award goes to Precilla Rodrigues as Best Ward
Incharge
2. Late Annie Theresa Coelho Memorial award goes to Simi Mathew as Best Senior Staff Nurse.
3. Prize instituted by Msgr P M Saldanha, goes to Jobile Jose, as Best Staff Nurse.
4. Prize instituted by Fr Augustine Lobo, goes to Joylet D Souza highest marks obtained in CNE test.
5. Prize instituted by Fr Frank Rodrigues, goes to Josephine Aranha as best Hospital Assistant.
The chief guest, message to the nurses was that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and that nurses are the one’s that uphold it. Nurses have been instinctive in being part of the healing and caring of the patient. The pandemic has shown the dedication of nurses and their importance in an organised healthcare.
The director, Fr Richard Aloysuis Coelho presented gift to the chief guest. Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, administrator of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, presented the prizes to the winners and awarded the rolling trophy to jamine team.
Malini Noronha and Carol Queen D'Souza were felicitated with shawl gift and sapling by the dignitaries in recognition of their renowned skills and as a token of appreciation among the multitude of nursing staff.
Fr Richard Coelho, director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions congratulated the nurses and prayed that nurses all over the world be beacon of healing and care. Nurses are a part of the healthcare team, without them the void is huge. He suggested that though remuneration may seem the priority, the joy of serving another human should be prioritized.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Lavina Nazreth, assiatant nursing superintendent and it was followed by a short cultural programme and lunch.