Virtual Seminar on “Pediatric Hemato oncology Disorders: Better survival through your hands”

As part of International Childhood Cancer Day 2022, a virtual seminar on “Pediatric Hemato oncology Disorders: Better survival through your hands” was organised by the II-year MSc Nursing students and faculty of Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal on 15th February 2022 between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm through MS Teams platform. The main aim of this seminar was to enhance the knowledge and skills of nurses on pediatric hemato oncology disorders. Dr Baby S Nayak, Professor and Head of Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal welcomed the Chief Guest and the participants for the seminar. The Chief Guest for the inaugural program was Dr Vasudeva Bhat, Associate Professor and In-charge Head, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Deputy Coordinator, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. He emphasized the role of nurses in providing comprehensive care for children with hemato oncological disorder. Dean, Dr Judith A Noronha said collaborative care is important for the care of children with cancer.

Followed by the inaugural program, four sessions were organised. Dr Archana M. V. Assistant Professor in Division of pediatric hematology and oncology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal deliberated on common pediatric hemato oncological disorders. She highlighted the importance of teamwork in the management of children with cancer and myths related to pediatric cancer. A session on the management of children with Febrile Neutropenia was led by Dr Anjalin D’Souza, Assistant Professor- Senior Scale Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal. She discussed regarding the antibiotics used in febrile neutropenia and infection prevention guidelines.

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain management in children with cancer was explained by Dr Krithika S. Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal. The last session for the seminar on pediatric drug and fluid calculations was delivered by Dr Mamatha Shivananda Pai, Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal and Mrs Smitha J Saldanha, 2nd year MSc Nursing student. Different methods of calculating fluid and drugs were highlighted.

A total of 190 participants participated in the event. The entire event was coordinated by Dr Mamatha Shivananda Pai, Professor, Dr Anjalin D’Souza, Assistant Professor- Senior Scale and post-graduate students of the department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal.