Shillong, Dec 02: Two days the 3rd Biennial National Conference was organized by the College of Nursing, NEIGRIHMS from the 29th to 30th November 2019 on the theme “Changing Tides in Quality Care: Riding the Waves Together” at the Institute’s Auditorium. Hon’ Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Tathagata Roy was the Chief Guest on the occasion. In his speech, he reminisced about health care in the past and now.
He stressed the importance of nursing care which is constant and cannot be replaced. He gave an inspiring and humorous speech about the Japanese culture and encouraged young nurses to rise and meet the challenges across the world. Prof. (Dr). D .M. Thappa, Director, NEIGRIHMS was the Patron, Ms. C .E .Myrthong, Principal, College of Nursing, was the Organizing Chairperson and Ms. Nochovono Tase, Lecturer was the Organizing Secretary.
A total of 408 delegates registered from Twelve (12) states. Delegates attending the conference were from 29 Hospitals, 15 Colleges and 8 Schools of Nursing, 9 Sub-Centres, 12 PHCs, 6 CHCs, DM & HO- West Khasi Hills, NHM – Ri Bhoi District, RBSK –Mawkynrew Block, North Eastern Police Academy – Upper Shillong, Shelter Home Boys – Khliehriat, Social Welfare Children Home Boys – Nongpoh, and Wellness Centre – IIM, Shillong.
Eminent Resource Persons from outside state included Dr. Manju Vatsa, Former Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS-Delhi, Dr. Phalakshi Manjrekar, Nursing Director, P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Professor Bishnupriya Biswas, Principal, West Bengal College of Nursing, SSKM Hospital Campus, Mr. Rathish Nair, Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS Patna and Dr. Gitumoni Konwar, Dean cum Principal, Royal School of Nursing, Guwahati,
Altogether there were 13 oral presentations and 11 poster presentations which were presented during the scientific session which was held before the inaugural program.
There were a total of ten sessions, five in each day. A Panel Discussion on “Challenges faced by Nursing Professional in delivering Quality Nursing Care” was conducted on the first day in which various perspectives of challenges on quality was highly deliberated. The program started and ended with the national anthem.
The B.Sc. Nursing students welcomed the august gathering with their melodious voice and welcome address was delivered by Ms. N.Tase, Organizing Secretary. This was followed by Lighting of the Inaugural Lamp and releasing of the Conference Souvenir. Ms.C.E Myrthong, Principal cum Organizing Chairperson unfolded the theme.
Prof (Dr.) D.M.Thappa , Director, NEIGRIHMS and Patron, highlighted the demands and scope of Nursing. He informed about Japanese Centres being setup in Guwahati to recruit nurses from Northeast. The Dean i/c Prof. (Dr.) A Bhatacharya also commented on the importance of Quality Nursing and wished the Organizing team the best.
Dr. Manju Vatsa, the Guest of Honour gave a very interesting discourse on Florence Nightingale 200 Birth Anniversary and how 2020 has been declared the “Year of Nurse and Midwife”. She highlighted how India is gearing up to meet the challenges and also calls upon all Nurses to celebrate it. She also impressed the importance of nurses to be involved in Policy-making.
There was also a Question and Answer session, where different questions posed by the delegates were addressed by the Resource Persons. It was a very interesting session where delegates enthusiastically and actively interacted. This was followed by the Valedictory Session. A Cultural Program was arranged where students and even delegates participated in the program followed by a Gala Dinner.
