As part of observing International Childhood Cancer Day, Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) was conducted on February 14th, 2024, by the Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal, in association with the Department of Nursing Services, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.

The program began with a welcome speech by Ms Vaishnavi A, II year MSc Child Health Nursing speciality student, where she welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of International Childhood Cancer Day and the 2024–26 theme. Three sessions followed:

Session 1 on ‘Drug and fluid monitoring during chemotherapy’, was taken by Dr. Archana M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. She focused on the current incidence and survival rates of childhood cancer. She also emphasised the role of nurses in pediatric oncology units, common chemotherapeutic drugs, their classification, and their side effects. She also spoke about guidelines for fluid therapy during chemotherapy, prevention and management of extravasation.

The second session was on ‘Legal and ethical aspects in paediatrics’. It was taken by Dr. Anjalin D’Souza, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing. Dr. Anjalin gave an overview of ethical guidelines, ethical principles, and different codes of conduct and practice for nurses. She also highlighted the need for laws and the various laws governing pediatric nursing practice.

Ms. Jean Elizabeth Biju, II Year M.Sc. Nursing, Dept. of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, took a session on age-specific care. She explained the various reactions associated with cancer diagnosis, illness, and hospitalisation in different age groups, and suggested age-specific nursing care interventions for each of these groups.

Ms Vaishnavi A, Ms. Jean Elizabeth Biju, and Ms. Kalyani from II Year M.Sc. Nurses were the hosts of the program. 32 staff nurses from Kasturba Hospital and faculty from the Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE attended the program. Nurses expressed that the program was useful and relevant to their practice. The session contributes to SDG 3 – Health and Wellbeing and SDG 4: Quality Education.