1.      Outreach Program and Health Camp at Milagres Cathedral Tri-Centenary Hall, Kallianpur

The department of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, in collaboration with Ave Maria Women’s cell of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur organized an outreach program and health camp, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, on 6th March 2022, from 9.30 - 11:00 am for all the women at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall, Kallianpur.

The inauguration ceremony was carried out with a prayer song and a welcome speech, thereafter therector of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Rev. Fr Valerian Mendonca spoke on the importance of womanhood and stated that females have to be respected and taken care of. He also told that the stronger the woman stronger the family. The more she explores, the more knowledge she gains.

The resource person for the first session was Mrs Sweety J Fernandes, Assistant Professor, Department of OBG Nursing. She addressed the gathering on ‘Diagnostic tests on cervical cancer’. She emphasized that the word ‘cancer’ itself caused fear in the people, because of a lack of knowledge and awareness regarding the causes and prevention of cancer. An important message was, periodical health check-up is a must for both men and women, as early diagnosis can help cure the disease.

The second session was deliberated by Dr Maria Pais, Assistant Professor – Senior Scale, Department of OBG Nursing, who discussed on Management of Cervical Cancer. She explained the stages of cervical cancer, talked about the primary prevention and management.

Before the formal program, a Health camp was conducted, where the participant's blood pressure was measured by Ms Joyce Sangeetha Henry and Ms Henita Joshna Menezes, PhD Research Scholars of Manipal College of Nursing. The participants have communicated their blood pressure readings and those who had higher readings were asked to have their blood pressure re-checked after a few days in their nearest health facility. There was also a random blood sugar check by the staff of Infinity Laboratory, Santhekatte, Kallianpur, led by Mrs Sunitha Fernandes. The participants were very enthusiastic to undergo a blood test and know their blood sugar levels.

Nearly 50 women and also a few men also attended the program and were benefited from these sessions and the health camp as well. There was also refreshment sponsored by the women's cell. The program ended with a vote of thanks by Ms Gretta Lewis and the entire program was hosted by Ms Rosy Baretto.

2.      Webinar on the theme

As a part of International Women’s Day 2022 a webinar on “Break The Bias” was organized by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal on 8th March 2022 virtually on Microsoft Teams Platform. Ms Ida D’Souza, Assistant Professor, Department of Global Health, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal, who was the resource person for this webinar focused on the need to celebrate International Women’s Day, and also on how women can be self-empowered. She emphasized the need for women to know about the various legislations that favour women and highlighted the need to achieve gender sensitivity and 0% domestic as well as 0% sexual violence.

Dr Sushmitha R Karkada, Assistant Professor Senior Scale, Dept. of OBG (N) MCON, MAHE Manipal gave the welcome address. Mrs Ranjani P, Assistant Professor Senior Scale, Dept. of OBG (N) MCON, MAHE Manipal, introduced the speaker. Dr Sonia R B D’Souza, Professor & Head, Dept. of OBG (N) MCON, MAHE Manipal, rendered the vote of thanks. MST Mousomy Perveen, PG student, II MSc, Dept. of OBG (N) MCON, MAHE Manipal, moderated the webinar. Around 103 participants benefited from this program.                                                                      

3.      Radio Program on ‘Gender bias

A radio program on "gender bias" was broadcasted on 8 March 2022  at 5.00 pm and rebroadcasted on 9 March 2022 at 12 noon through 90.4 FM Radio Manipal. The program was conducted by faculty members and PhD scholars of the OBG Nursing Department and coordinated by Mrs Shoba, Lecturer, MCON, MAHE, Manipal. The program presented a short skit and gave a social message that stressed on gender bias as well as the importance of education to the girl child. 

4.      Poster Competition on the theme

As a part of the International Women's Day celebration 2022, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal organized an e- poster competition on the theme “Break the bias” for the faculty and students of MAHE, Manipal. 

Mrs Sweety Jousline Fernandes, Assistant Professor, Department of OBG Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal coordinated the E-poster competition. There were 17 participants in the competition. The evaluators for the E-poster competition were Mrs Tenzin Phagdol, PhD. Scholar, Department of Child Health Nursing and Mrs Reshma, Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal. The first place was secured by Dr Maria Pias, Assistant Professor- Senior Scale, Department of OBG Nursing MCON Manipal, and the second place was secured by Ms Sunitha Solomon, Nagelli, PhD. Scholar, Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal. The result was declared during the Webinar on “Break the Bias” which was conducted online.  On Microsoft teams on 8/ March/ 2022.  

5.      Outreach Program at St. Piyus Church, Palimar

The department of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, in collaboration with the women’s cell of St. Piyush Church, Palimar organized an outreach program on the occasion of International Women’s Day as well as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrith Mahotsav’ on 13th March 2022, from 10:30 - 12:00 pm at Church Hall, St. Piyush Church, Palimar.

Mrs Celine Cutinho welcomed the gathering during the inaugural session. The Rector of St. Piyush Church, Palimar, Rev. Fr Rock D’Souza spoke on the importance of recognizing the achievements of women and he congratulated the team of women’s cell of the church for organizing the program. In addition, he emphasized that women have to be respected and taken care of.

The resource person for the first session was Mrs Clara D’souza, Assistant Lecturer, School of Nursing.  She addressed adolescent girls and females on “Menstrual hygiene”. She explained that getting a monthly cycle is a natural part of the reproductive cycle, and it is very important to maintain good menstrual hygiene and to uphold their health and dignity.  

Mrs Pratibha, Assistant Professor Department of OBG Nursing deliberated the second session, she addressed the gathering on “Reproductive cancers”, especially about who is at risk of getting cancer, existing preventive measures and about availability of screening tests for early detection. She also emphasized that early spotting increases the chance of finding cancer before it spreads thereby increasing the survival rate. She also emphasized that, if cancer care is delayed there is a lower chance of survival, greater problems associated with treatment, and higher costs of care.  

Total 50-60 women attended the program and benefited from this. There was also refreshment sponsored by the women's cell. The program ended with a vote of thanks by Mrs Janet Cutinho and the entire program was hosted by Ms Jecintha Suvares and Mrs Rufina Mendonca.