Media Release
Udupi, Mar 23: The departments of critical care and palliative medicine at Kasturba Medical College and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, conducted a two-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on organ donation awareness on March 18 and 19.
The programme aimed to improve awareness and understanding of organ donation after brain death (DBD) and after circulatory death (DCD). It received an encouraging response from healthcare professionals and students.
On March 18, around 150 nursing staff took part in the sessions, showing strong involvement from frontline caregivers. On March 19, nearly 250 MBBS students and about 100 faculty members from all medical and surgical specialties attended, making it a well-participated academic event.
The inaugural function was attended by chief guest Dr (Col) Avnish Seth, VSM, country head, Manipal Organ Sharing & Transplant and guest of honour Pallavi Kumar, executive director (NCR), Mohan Foundation and Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, vice chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, who emphasized the importance of advancing organ donation practices.
He announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art simulation facility at MAHE to support training and capacity building in organ transplant programmes, particularly in DBD and DCD. and Dr Sharath Kumar Rao, pro vice chancellor (Health Sciences) also extended support and spoke about the institution’s commitment to ethical and effective transplant programs.
This event was supported by Dr Anil K Bhat, dean Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Dr Sudhakar Kantipudi, chief operating officer, Teaching Hospitals, MAHE Manipal, Dr Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.
The CME included expert talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that covered medical, ethical, and practical aspects of organ donation. The highlight of the programme, approximately 270 pledged their willingness to support organ donation and spread awareness.
The overwhelming participation and engagement from multidisciplinary teams underscored the growing momentum toward improving organ donation practices. The organizers expressed gratitude to all participants, speakers, and institutional leaders for contributing to the success of the programme.