The Institute of Nursing Education (INE) held their Pre-Graduation and Annual Day at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, today. The Chief Guest, Shri Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane while addressing the gathering comprising students and parents and faculty said that nurses play a major role in providing better quality health care. He said that the Government was focusing on creating infrastructure and extra courses in nursing including imparting specialised training.
He said, “The Government aims to create accessible health care in Goa and also tie-up with institutes to perform surgeries in the State so that people do not have to go outside Goa. We are here to give you opportunities in this field,” he said to the new graduates adding, “The State is doing well and is progressing in different ways in this field,” the minister said.
Dean, Goa Medical College and Hospitals, Dr Shivanand Bandekar, while speaking on the occasion, informed that this was the first time a graduation function was being held in the history of the Institute of Nursing Education. “We have incorporated recent advances in nursing education, following best practices and competency based nursing education,” he informed.
Director, Directorate of Health Service (DHS), Dr Geeta Kakodkar, told the new nursing graduates, “Patients look to you with hope. It’s not only medicines that make them better but it is compassion, empathy and respect which help patients in their recovery. She further said that there was immense potential for nursing graduates not just in hospitals but under the Ayushman Bharat Mission under DHS, where the government is aiming to help in healthcare not just in hospitals but in peripheries as well as this will save on time used to travel.
Professor and head, Research and Collaborations, MCON (Manipal College of Nursing)-MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), Manipal, Dr Anice George, told the graduates that parents and teachers are always proud of their child/student’s achievements. She said that inter-professional practice where everyone in healthcare works as a team has assumed importance. “Continue updating your knowledge. Embrace AI to save on time and reduce redundant work but remember it can’t replace the humane touch. Go abroad if you have decided to but once you have achieved your goal of learning and earning, come back with a new learning experience to your nation. Take care of your health as that’s important if you have to look after the unwell,” she said.
Present on the occasion were Registrar of Goa Nursing Council, Dr Flosy Rodrigues e Menezes, Professor, INE, Bambolim, Prof Dr Ana Vaz de Braganca among others.