Mangaluru: The Diocesan Health Commission of the Mangalore Diocese, in collaboration with the Father Muller Simulation and Skill Centre (FMSSC), a unit of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), organised a comprehensive one-day CPR and First Aid training programme, which culminated in the release of a specialised first aid handbook in Konkani. The programme was held at the Decennial Memorial Hall, marking a significant step towards community-based emergency healthcare preparedness.
The handbook, compiled by Rithesh Joseph D’Cunha for the Diocesan Health Commission, aims to make life-saving knowledge accessible in the local language, enabling quicker understanding and wider community outreach across the diocese.
Focus on promotive and preventive healthcare
Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of FMCI and Patron of the programme, highlighted the importance of the Konkani handbook in empowering communities. He emphasised the three core pillars of healthcare — promotive, preventive, and curative — urging participants to actively support promotive and preventive healthcare measures to reduce dependence on curative interventions.
He also noted that the programme coincided with a decade of healthcare simulation at FMCI, reflecting the institution’s sustained commitment to skill-based medical education.
Importance of first aid and CPR training
The Chief Guest, Jacintha D’Souza, District Vector Borne Disease Control Officer, Dakshina Kannada, underlined the critical role of first aid and CPR in emergency situations.
“Effective first aid and CPR training are essential for reducing mortality in emergencies,” she said, commending the Diocesan Health Commission for organising an impactful and community-oriented programme.
Bishop highlights life-saving mission
The CPR handbook release and valedictory session were presided over by Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese and President of FMCI. He stated that the training equips communities with vital life-saving skills and strengthens the diocese’s healthcare mission. He added that the Konkani handbook would serve as a practical and reliable guide for emergency response at the grassroots level.
Expert sessions and hands-on training
The one-day programme featured expert lectures and practical demonstrations on a wide range of emergency care topics, including adult and infant CPR, fracture management, choking, haemorrhage control, snake bites, fits, fire accidents, drowning, diabetes, infections, and stroke.
Sessions were conducted by specialists from FMCI and FMSSC, including Dr Reena Frank, Dr Shannon Fernandes, Dr Sandra Saldanha, Dr Vivian D’Almeida, Dr Savitha Lasrado, Dr Sonia Karen Sequeira, Dr Veena Pinto, and several senior nursing and allied health faculty members. Hands-on workshops on CPR, choking, and haemorrhage control were a key highlight, conducted under the guidance of Dr Reena Frank, Course Coordinator, and Dr Rithesh Joseph D’Cunha.
Community impact and participation
A total of 161 delegates from 12 deaneries of the Mangalore Diocese participated in the training. These trained participants are expected to serve as resource persons, passing on their knowledge and skills to their respective vicariates, thereby multiplying the programme’s impact at the grassroots level.
Welcoming the gathering, George Jeevan Sequeira, Secretary of the Diocesan Health Commission and Administrator of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, highlighted the importance of preparedness and community participation in emergency healthcare.
Positive feedback and conclusion
Feedback on the programme was shared by Mrs Cynthia, a delegate from Sullia taluk, who described it as one of the most meaningful learning experiences of her life. She remarked that despite her 30 years in the healthcare field, the programme helped her acquire new and valuable life-saving skills.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Rithesh D’Cunha, while the programme was efficiently compered by Mrs Preetha and Dr Josmitha D’Souza. Organisers stated that the initiative marks a major step towards strengthening emergency response capabilities and first-aid awareness across the Mangalore Diocese.
