Ludhiana March 3
A three-day national conference of the Indian Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN) began at the DMCH today. It is being hosted by the College of Nursing, DMCH.

It was inaugurated by T. Dileep Kumar, president, Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi.

College of Nursing principal and conference chairperson Dr Jasbir Kaur welcomed the chief guest and dignitaries.

ISPN general secretary Dr Nagarajaiah introduced the chief guest to the audience.

The presidential address was given by ISPN president and professor and head of Nursing at NIMHANS, Bangalore, Dr K. Reddemma.

Dharam Vir Bector said drug abuse was paralysing the society and it was high time that society worked for the betterment of victims.

He appreciated the work of organisers and delegates in organising the conference and stressed the need for making the life of drug-abuse patients worthwhile.

T. Dileep Kumar said substance abuse had become an evil in society.

According to the National Survey on Extent, Pattern and Trends of Drug Abuse in India, the most common drugs of abuse were tobacco (58 per cent) and alcohol (26 per cent).

He stressed the need for strengthening the existing general hospitals to provide de-addiction services.

He added that nurses should receive adequate training in effective techniques such as motivational interviewing, mobilising community action, helping to establish self-help groups, providing quality health education and encouraging health lifestyles.

Among the dignitaries present were DMCH managing society treasurer Satish Sanwalka, DMCH vice-principal Dr Jagdeep Whig, medical superintendents Dr Sandeep Puri and Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Dr Ranjiv Mahajan, and Lecturer, College of Nursing, AIIMS, Sandhya Gupta.

Ludhiana, March 3
Christian Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and the Rajasthan Health System Corporation have entered into an agreement to train doctors, nurses and other health professionals of the state government in clinical, technical and management development.

The programme is an ongoing process of equipping the personnel of Rajasthan Health System Development, assisted by the World Bank.

The bank aims at improving the infrastructure of all secondary healthcare facilities and assuring quality healthcare delivery along with improved behaviour and performance of healthcare personnel.

The CMC is the only teaching institute outside of Rajasthan chosen for imparting training. The first phase of the project envisages the training of 188 nursing personnel, including 48 nursing superintendents.

Each session will be a 10-day residential integrated training programme focussing on major aspects like strengthening managerial capacities, especially with regard to management of nursing services, management of wards, operating rooms and labour room.

Giving details, CMC’s medical superintendent Dr John Abraham said the hospital was following participatory approach in conducting the programme and was using various methods of teaching like lectures, group discussion, group exercise and bedside/hands-on training. He added that so far training of two batches had been completed.

College of Nursing principal Prof Triza Jiwan said the trainees were attached to expert faculty in their specialty for providing hands-on training.