Media Release
Mangaluru, Apr 17: Father Muller Medical College celebrated World Haemophilia Day with the inaugural ceremony of the Father Muller Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre. The event took place on April 17 at the DM Hall in the library building. The ceremony was graced by esteemed guests and dignitaries, including chief guest Dr Jacintha D'Souza district surgeon & superintendent of Wenlock District Hospital Mangaluru, and presided by Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho director FMCI.
The patrons of the event were Fr Ajith B Menezes administrator FMMC, Fr George Jeevan Sequeira administrator FMMCH, Fr Nelson Dheeraj Pais assistant administrator FMMCH, Dr Anthony Sylvan D'Souza dean FMMC and Dr Uday Kumar MS FMMCH, Dr Chandni Bhandary, assistant professor department of pathology and Sheetal Pai assistant professor Father Muller College of Physiotherapy served as emcees for the ceremony.
The theme for this year's World Haemophilia Day was ‘Equitable access for all: Recognizing all bleeding disorders’, which aligns with the mission of the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH). The WFH, along with its National Member Organizations from 147 countries, advocates for the accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare for people with haemophilia, irrespective of their gender, age, or location.
The ceremony began with Dr Jayaprakash CS, the convener of the Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre, welcoming the gathering. Dr Chandana, a paediatrician haematologist oncologist and assistant professor department of paediatrics, introduced the Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Committee and the team heading it to the audience. The team comprises of:
1. Dr Jayaprakash C S - lab director and professor, department of pathology
2. Dr Chandni Bhandary P - assistant professor, haematopathologist, department of pathology
3. Dr Swetha Shanbhag - assistant professor, department of paediatrics
4. Dr Supriya - assistant professor, department of medicine
5. Dr Harsharaj K - assistant professor, department of orthopaedics
6. Dr Nanditha Hegde - assistant professor, dental sciences
7. Sheetal Vivek Pai - assistant professor, department of physiotherapy
8. Joylene Sandra Menezes - staff nurse
9. Dr Chandana Pai - assistant professor, paediatric haematologist & oncologist, department of paediatrics
In a symbolic gesture, instead of traditional lamp lighting, a dummy was used to represent the provision of factors to haemophilia patients, and a board with the haemophilia center's name was unveiled.
The chief guest Dr Jacintha D'Souza in her address emphasized the importance of resilience, strength, and equitable access to healthcare. Fr. Richard Aloysius Coelho director FMCI highlighted the interdisciplinary initiative and compassionate care that the center will provide.
The event also featured short video messages from Dr Suresh Hanagavadi, president of the Karnataka Haemophilia Society, and the late Dr SP Balasubramaniam, a legendary singer and a staunch supporter of haemophilia care in India.
The occasion was used to create public awareness about haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. Following the ceremony, a guest lecture was delivered by Dr Sharath Kumar Rao from the department of immunohematology and blood transfusion, Wenlock District Hospital, Mangaluru.
The event was organized by Dr Jayaprakash C S, professor and lab director of pathology, as the organizing chairman, Dr Chandni Bhandary P, Assistant professor and haematopathologist of pathology, as the organizing secretary, and Dr Chandana Pai, assistant professor and paediatric haemato-oncologist of paediatrics, as the joint organizing secretary. The inauguration of the Father Muller Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre marks a significant milestone in providing comprehensive care to patients with bleeding disorders, in line with the global efforts of the WFH.