Media Release

Udupi, Sept 2: Kasturba Hospital, Manipal in association with Centre for Clinical and Innovative Forensics and Department of Forensic Medicine of Kasturba Medical College, MAHE Manipal organized Continuing Medical Education (CME) on 'Violence Against Saviours' on September 1 at Dr TMA Pai Hall, Manipal. The aim of the programme is to create awareness about the neglected pandemic and highlight the need to implement reactionary measures to an event of violence as a team. N Shashi Kumar IPS, commissioner of police, Mangaluru was the chief guest for the inaugural programme. Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE Manipal presided over the programme. Dr Sharath Kumar, dean KMC, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal Dr Vinod C Nayak, coordinator, Centre for Clinical and Innovative Forensics and Dr VikramPalimar, head department of Forensic Medicine were present.

N Shashi Kumar IPS inaugurated the programme and said, “ Violence against saviours is not only limited to Health care workers, it is happening against many other departments workers also like, police, Revenue department, corporation, Media, etc. The Karnataka prohibition of violence against Medicare service personnel and damage to property in Medicare service institutions act introduced in 2009. My suggestion is to please be in contact with the local police station and report to the local police immediately if such an incident happens."

In his presidential address Dr Ballal said that, “Congratulations on organizing such an important event. All of us should come forward and find a permanent solution to this crisis. If violence happens in small nursing homes and clinics it is difficult to handle the situation because of less manpower. Proper communication to the patient about diagnosis, line of treatment, and cost of the treatment initially, reduces such incidents”. Dr Sharath Kumar welcomed the gathering, Dr Avinash Shetty given an overview on CME.

After the inauguration, there was a panel discussion organized with eminent resource people. N Shashi Kumar IPS, commissioner of police, Mangaluru, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, consumer, and human rights activist, Jaideep Shenoy, former assistant editor, Times Of India, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent, Dr Navin S Salins, professor and head, department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Hospital, Dr Y Sudarshan Rao, surgeon and co-ordinator IMA, Udupi were the panelists for the panel discussion. Dr Vinod C Nayak was the moderator of the panel discussion.