The region’s tertiary healthcare institute—Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research will conduct an online 10-day capacity building program on Covid-19 (coronavirus) for SAARC health professionals to deal with the pandemic.
The program will disseminate the best and replicable practices along with experiences of India to contain Covid-19 pandemic as a follow-up of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiated video conference of SAARC leaders on March 15, where he suggested that healthcare professionals of the SAARC nations could come together to jointly fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The program will be organized by Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER. The Union Ministry of External Affairs has selected the PGIMER for conducting this online capacity building program, said an official spokesperson.
The senior healthcare professionals from countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Seychelles and Sri Lanka will participate in the program.
PGIMER Prof. Jagat Ram appreciated and underscored the importance of this flagship program in this current challenging situation where all countries across the globe are struggling to find the solutions to address Covid-19 pandemic.
He reiterated that the program spearheaded by Dr. Sonu Goel, Professor in Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health will help SAARC countries to effectively plan and manage coronavirus situation in their respective countries.
The online programme will be delivered by experts from Chandigarh Administration and eminent faculty of Institute on various important topics like understanding Covid, infection prevention measures, diagnosis and clinical management of Covid patients and their contacts, field surveillance and public health measures and other emergency issues. During the program, health workers will be motivated by Ted ex speaker Vivek Atray (former IAS officer) and yoga practice will be stressed upon in tackling mental stress in this tough situation, the spokesperson said.
In total, there will be 10 modules (each of one hour) and each module shall have 4-5 lectures and entire program will be completed in 10 days, the spokesperson added.
A short documentary film featuring key messages of international managers and leaders from across 40 countries will also be displayed during the program.
Key speakers would include Manoj Kumar Parida, Advisor to the Administrator, MCC Commissioner KK Yadav, SSP Nilambari Jagadale among others.