The International Nurses’ Day 2017 was celebrated by TNAI at NDMC Convention Centre, Palika Kendra, New Delhi with enthusiasm and fervour on 13 May with Honorable MrsMeenakshiLekhi, Lok Sabha member as chief guest. Dr (Mrs) Rathi Balachandran, Asst Director General (Nursing) Special Guest of Honour, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MHFW), besides President, Vice Presidents (Northern, Western and North-Eastern regions),
EC members, Secretary General, and senior members and officials of TNAI. The day-long programme began with invocation song by student nurses of Holy Family College of Nursing followed with welcome address by Ms Surekha Sama, Vice President North region, TNAI. The presidential address was given by Mrs Anita Deodhar, President TNAI. Introduction about TNAI, its objectives, activities and future plans were briefed by Mrs Evelyn P Kannan. The ceremonial lamp was lighted by dignitaries on the dais and tributes were paid to Florence Nightingale, the legend nurse whose birth anniversary is globally celebrated as the International Nurses’Day on 12 May each year. This was coordinated by Mrs S Vatchla Dhinakaran, Asst Secretary General TNAI followed by Nurses’ pledge administered by Dr S Sasankan, Vice President West region, TNAI. The Nurses’ Day theme of the year i.e. Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals was unfolded by Dr Prakin Suchaxaya- Coordinator, Health Programmes, WHO Country office for India. In her speech; she insisted the nurses to render their service towards attaining the SDG goals. Two senior Doctors, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, Indian Medical Association and Dr RN Tandon, Honorary Secretary, Indian Medical Association were awarded by TNAI for their distinguished services and felicitated by Mrs Meenakshi Lekhi Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha). Mr Ajinas AM, Asst Secretary General TNAI gave a brief introduction about the Awardee Doctors on this occasion. Code of conduct on Doctor-Nurse professional relationship, prepared jointly by the IMA- TNAI was released by Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi MP. Adding feathers to the achievements of TNAI, New Born Skin Care Guide prepared by TNAI as per Indian context (modelled after initial AWHONN version) was released by the dignitaries on the dais, and the Committee members who contributed to preparation of the same were felicitated by Dr Prakin Suchaxaya. Around 150 nurses including Principals and Administrators of various nursing institutions attended the programme. The executive committee members of TNAI from various states actively participated in the event. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Sanghamitra R Sawant, Asst Secretary General, TNAI. In the afternoon, a half-day workshop was organised with three scientific sessions from 2-5 pm. Dr. Jyoti Sarin, President IANN took a session on overview of Newborn Skin Care guidelines followed by panel discussion on Respectful Maternal Care by WRAI. Ms Renuka Motihar moderated the discussions while the panel discussions were led by Dr Manmeet Kaur, Addl Professor of Health Promotion PGIMER and Dr. Manju Chugani, Principal, Rufaida Nursing College. Dr. Rathi Balachandran, ADG (Nursing) briefed on the theme of International
Nurses Day 2017 followed by open discussion by the participants. Certificates were distributed to the participants with 03 credit hours. The programme ended with high tea.