Quarterly Newsletter of Indian Nursing Council

Transcription

1 For Private Circulation only ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2009 Quarterly Newsletter of Indian Nursing Council Supported by Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberclosis and Malaria (GFATM) GFATM Round 7 - Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Nurses Training on HIV/AIDS and ART

2 Editorial Board: Mr. T. Dileep Kumar Dr. Asha Sharma Mrs. K.S. Bharati Dr. Jayarani Premkumar Dr. Kalpana Mandal Dr. Swati Kambli Dr. Mahasweta Bose Dr. Nizara Das Dr. S.N. Misra Dr. Dilip Vaswani Content and Design: Shanta Misra Cover photograph: National Consensus Workshop, Goa, Ist-IInd August 2009 Please submit your contributions/ articles to INC Newsletter at: Published by the Indian Nursing Council, Combined Councils Building, Kotla Road, Temple Lane, New Delhi Contents The President s Desk 3 GFATM Nurses Training Project - Achievements 4 In Conversation 6 Palliative Care Nursing in HIV/AIDS 7 Glimpses of GFATM Training 8-9 National AIDS Control Programme Phase III Eligibility Criteria for Various Nursing Programme Nurses Role in Art Centers 10 Nurses Speak 15 Announcements GFATM Round 7 Training Update (September 09) Activity Achievement This Quarter Cumulative Number of Institutions conducted trainings Number of Master Trainers trained Number of Trainers trained Number of Nurses trained

3 The President s Desk Dear colleagues and friends, The Indian Nursing Council has several activities throughout the year. Our members are encouraged to participate in training programmes, research projects besides carrying on their regular work as nurses and teachers. I thank you all for working so hard in making this programme a success. The GFATM Round 7 project on Nurses training on HIV/AIDS prevention care and treatment has achieved remarkable results with 45 Institutions conducting training in this quarter. The project has so far been able to reach out to 9220 staff nurses from various hospitals and other health facilities all over India. This edition of the INC Newsletter brings many of such activities of the GFATM programme. An update of the activities of this quarter from INC, that has the new institutions which have been added to the list of institutions under the GFATM programme. The all important review meeting at Goa has taken several decisions with its stakeholders and is the main highlight of this edition. The feedback we have received from the trainers and participants regarding the training programme is very heartening. A comprehensive NACO update about NACP III has also added for the information of our readers. Several colourful glimpses of the training programmes held successfully all over the country have been presented. You will know about Dr. K. Reddemma, Dean of Behavioural Sciences NIMHANS, Bangalore and Member of the Academic Council of India. An article on the Palliative Care is also illuminating. Finally we have the announcement for the Florence Nightingale A ward As always we would like to encourage more articles from our members of the nursing profession. Thank you all once again for your support in our endeavour to fulfil the objective under the GFATM project. Hoping to hear from you all, With Best Wishes Mr. T. Dileep Kumar President Nursing Council of India 3

4 GFATM Nurses Training Project - Achievements GFATM 7 Project - Update Under the dynamic leadership of INC and the concentrated efforts of all the SRs and SSRs, the project got started in September 2008 and has picked up since then momentum. An update of the major activities and achievements till September 2009 is discussed here. Development of training plan and selection of trainers and participants. Based on the training load, a quarterly National training plan was developed. The various health facilities were mapped and then linked to all the 55 nursing institutes. A training calendar was drawn up for each of the 55 nursing institutes under this project. Each Nurses training program consist of 35 participants. The programs are designed for 5 days duration and for convenience start on a Monday and end on a Friday. All the 55 nursing training institutes were being provided with training materials, training CDs and other materials such as wooden penis models for practice of correct use of condoms (a crucial aspect of Counseling on HIV prevention), posters, charts and infection control equipment for practical demonstrations. Monitoring and Evaluation and Computerized Management Information System. The tools for M&E have been developed, piloted and finalized. A detailed M&E plan and operations guidelines have been developed to comprehensively monitor the program. This plan has been discussed with relevant officials in NACO and approved. A Systems assessment and analysis was done for implementation of MIS. The MIS has been customized to match the MIS of NACO. The software and hardware specifications were developed and necessary hardware and software procurement of systems for all the 55 nursing training institutes have been complete. The computerized MIS has been installed in all the training institutes. Dedicated Data entry operators have been appointed in most of the institutes for this purpose and all data are stored online through a centralized server. Bilingual (English & Hindi) Registration, Pretest and Post Test forms, Feedback Form for the trainers have been circulated to all the 55 nursing training institutes. This has facilitated an increased comprehension of the same and thus more authentic responses. This will, ultimately help in arriving at more accurate results while conducting data analysis. Two Regional (East, Northeast and North zone) trainings on M&E and MIS, Operational and Financial Guidelines were conducted for capacity building of the principal coordinator, training coordinator, accountant cum data entry operator, on the M&E and MIS planning and implementation. Training was also provided on the operational and financial guidelines, to the nursing institutes, for conducting trainings following standardized procedures, for proper maintenance of all financial records etc., resulting in efficient and execution of the training programs on time. Onsite Monitoring and Supportive Supervision The Futures Group has been participating in most of the training programs as a monitor and supervisor. A detailed quarterly monitoring plan is developed based on the quarterly training calendar. A supervisory checklist has been developed to monitor and track the training programs. Efforts are made to address any shortcomings and gaps in the operational or technical aspect of the training program through on-site support. A system of grading the institutions has been developed to maintain high quality and uniform standards of the training programs. National Consensus Workshop Ms. K. S. Bharati Asst. Secretary INC & Project Director, A National Consensus workshop was organized in Goa for all stakeholders with an objective to appraise the achievements made in the training of nurses since the commencement of the project and discuss the strategies to overcome gaps, shortcomings, and the future plan to meet the set targets. The forum, also provided, the platform to exchange assessment findings for the purpose of mutual learning. Some of 4

5 the SRs and SSRs shared their own experiences of conducting TOTs, TONs, the challenges & impediments faced and the potential solutions to overcome the same. The participants are also presented with some of the critical observations and feedback from the monitoring and supervision of trainings, which would assist them in improving the same at their respective institutes. Recommendations and requirements on administrative, operational and financial issues were discussed, along with revised financial guidelines. Another important agenda of the workshop was to present the MIS plan for the project and guidelines to be followed for the accurate analysis of the data. Institutional Assessment and refurbishment All 55 institutions within the project were assessed through a mix of checklist and actual site visits. Besides, additional information was collected during supervisory visits during the training programs. A detailed assessment report was prepared for all institutions and all institutions were requested for a refurbishment plan based on agreed guidelines developed by the Challenge Fund Committee and INC at the central level. Based on this refurbishment request from individual institutions the Challenge Fund Committee approved the plans for refurbishment for 3 institutions. The refurbishment include state-of- art IT facilities, AV aids, comfort able boarding arrangements for participants and the trainersm, computers, printers and photocopy scanners. Highlights The average pre training score was 52.5% and the average post training score was found to be 82%.This is quite commendable and proves that the participants had very high motivation to enhance their knowledge and skills vis-à-vis the care and treatment of PLHAs. The analysis of the Feedback Form show that most trainers have been appreciated by the particip ants for their knowledge, technique and skills, and have given them quite high ratings (an average of 4/5). Participants have appreciated the concept and structure of the training programs. Many of them have reported this as a unique and enriching experience (both professionally and personally) and feel more empathetic and confident in caring for PLHAs. The contents of the training manuals have also been found to be quite comprehensive and clear. Innovations such as role plays, demonstrations and new complimentary therapies and holistic care have been greatly appreciated as they have made the training more appealing and facilitated better grasp of the HIV/AIDS concepts. Motivation is high among trainers and participants, training programs have been conducted in the height of summer, without proper air conditioning in many places in the North, hilly and difficult to reach regions in the Northeast.Several understaffed hospitals have sent their trainers/ participants for attending the program. There has been a tremendous demand for the training programs from nurses working in health care centers dealing with HIV/AIDS patients. Zone wise List of Institutions who conducted trainings till end September 09 South Zone CMC, Vellore ST. Xavier, Nagercoil JIPMER, Pondicherry ST. Johns, Bangalore MCON, Manipal GCON, Bangalore GCON, Tiruvananthapuram GCON, Kozikhode GCON, Kott ayam GCON, Hyderabad GCON, V ishakapatnam GCON, Ananthapur GCON, Kurnool St. Joseph s CON CON, Nellore CON, Kadappa Vijay Mary, Hyderabad West Zone INE, Mumbai Belair, Satara Holy Spirit, Mumbai GCON, Ahmedabad GCON, Baroda CON, Rajkot Sevagram, Wardha. Indore Ujjain GSON, Hubli North Zone RAK, Delhi GCON, Jaipur SFRAN SON, Ajmer CMC, Ludhiana KGMU Lucknow GCON, Kanpur CON, Bhilai CON, Raipur East Zone SSKM, Kolkata CON, Kolkata Ma Sharda, RK Mission CON, RIMS, Ranchi Nazrath, Patna HFSON, Ranchi JJSON, Jamshedpur North East Zone CON, Guwahati Naga Hospital, Kohima NEIGRIMS, Shillomg CON, Aizwal 5

6 Dr. K. Reddemma has been a student with distinction in the Osmania University, Hyderabad where she completed her B.Sc. in Nursing. In 1998, she got her doctorate in Nursing from Mangalore University. She started her professional career as a tutor in Nursing in Smt. Durga Bai Deshmukh Hospital, Chennai. Three years later she joined NIMHANS, Banglore as a tutor in Today, thirty five years later, she is the Dean, Behavioural Sciences, NIMHANS. She is also a distinguished member of the Academic Council of India, INC Newsletter in conversation with her asked about her views and suggestions about the GFATM project and the nursing profession in general. Q. Dr. Reddemma, as an esteemed member of the academic council of India, what are your comments about the nursing education in India? Indian Nursing Council has developed uniform syllabus for all the courses of nursing including specialty training in various nursing specialties. If these programmes are implemented as per the norms prescribed by Indian Nursing Council, quality of nursing education can be maintained. Though INC is trying to monitor quality of training there is still scope to achieve this goal Q. Ma am, your feedback on the nursing profession as it stands today. What are the changes you would like to see? I would like to see nursing in nurses hands so that they can deliver quality care and be advocates of patients needs and lobby for better deal for patients and families in the health care delivery system. Once we attain this autonomy with a sense of responsibility and accountability the public image of nursing will improve. Nurses need training in communication skills so that they do not attract dissatisfaction of patients and families amidst various constraints in which they are functioning now. These constraints are shortage of personnel and material needed for nursing care and spending time in non-nursing activities. Do you think that the GFATM Training for nurses on HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment will empower the In Conversation 6 nursing profession as a whole? Your comments Ma am. Any new knowledge and skill will empower the nurses to care for patients in a better way and their self confidence will be enhanced. In spite of the knowledge and skill nurses are not very vocal and are unable to express themselves what they are capable of. Hence, they need to be demonstrating their knowledge and skill and be more assertive in their functioning. The knowledge of HIV / AIDS will definitely empower them to care for these patients better as most of the nurses did not have the curriculum on HIV /AIDS care during their training period. Hence, this additional input is definitely required. Q. As the Dean of Behavioural Sciences at NIMHANS, Bangalore, what are the changes that you see in the nurses who have been trained under the GFATM project? The nurses who have undergone training under GFATM project are better equipped with knowledge and skills in dealing with patients with HIV/AIDS. Aft er having gone through the module developed for this purpose, I am more than convinced that the uniformity in knowledge and skills will be achieved by all the 90,000 nurses trained and to be trained under this project. I congratulate and wish the very best to INC and the Futures group in this endeavor. Q. Lastly any changes between the way things were with regard to nurses then and now? There has been a constant and upward trend in nurses becoming more organized in their professional activities than what it was a couple of years ago. Because of the in-service education initiatives from Ministry of Health (Nursing Advisor) there is collaboration between the nursing teachers and those working in hospitals. This trend helps in amalgamation of theory and practice leading to better learning outcomes for the students and better care for the patients. I see a lot of motivation from the nursing personnel to enhance their knowledge and skills by attending in-service and continuing nursing education programmes. Many nurses are opting for higher education than before which is a welcome trend, and I am sure the profession will benefit due to these trends. Thank you, Dr. Reddemma for giving your valuable insight and comments. It was a pleasure talking to you.

7 Palliative Care Nursing in HIV/AIDS needs to be sensitive to the needs of the family, who have to see a loved one suffer or die, and empathies with them. Mrs. Mary Walton Lecturer, St. John s College of Nursing Bangalore How is palliative care nursing different from the usual nursing?? The palliative care nurse will be dealing not only with the physical needs of the patients but also with needs, where emotions run high with anger, crying, withdrawl, silence, depression, suicidal tendencies, terminal illness, death and dying.? The nurse needs to teach simple, low cost methods of home-based care to the patient and family. The family members become almost like home care nurses where they learn total care of the patient which includes nutrition, personal hygiene, dressing techniques, prevention of pressure sores, prevention in acquiring the infection while taking care etc? Pain in HIV/AIDS patients is usually not recognized or neglected. Patients suffer from physical pain as well as associated synmptoms like nausea, vomiting, oral candidiasis, dysphagia, odynophagia, itching etc.. The psychological pain of suffering from the disease and having feelings of guilt, fear of the unknown, fear of death, future of family and children also need to be addressed.? Palliative care nursing involves not only the patient but also the families who go through a lot of stress (physical, p sychological, financial, social and spiritual) and may have burnout syndrome. She? For a palliative care nurse death is an every day event and she may get used to it or you may call it develop resistance to it, but for the family it is the first time, and she needs to keep this in mind and let the patient die with dignity.? The nurse may have various emotional feelings when she looses a patient whom she has taken care for a long period of time especially in case of children. Hence she needs to be well emotionally balanced.? Palliative care nurses need to sharpen their counseling skills. They need to be good listeners. They should stand by the family in time of bereavement. They must involve the family in decision making at every step.? The nurse must be aware of all the NGOs and CBOs in her area so that she can help the patient and the family in meeting their needs. Awareness is the need of the hour in the area of palliative care in HIV/AIDS for which nurses need to attend workshops on the same, only then can they can be competent in caring for patients and overcome the stigma attached with the disease and in their minds. A nurse can definitely make a difference to society and plays an important role by contributing to the preventive, curative and palliative care aspects of patients with HIV/AIDS. Awake and Arise Oh Nurse! You can take up an active fight against the disease. Save the world for the future generation. A nurse working in a palliative care unit needs to have more patience than the usual patience she has for her patients. 7

8 Glimpses of GFATM Training 8

9 Glimpses of GFATM Training 9

10 National AIDS Control Programme - Phase III India has the world s third largest population suffering from HIV/AIDS, with a prevalence rate of 2.3 million (NACO/UNAIDS, 2007). Although the decline from 2.5 to 2.3 million is quite significant, but considering India s population is so large, there, still, remains a danger of it assuming epidemic proportions. Evidence suggests that India s HIV/AIDS epidemic is mostly due to unsafe sex worker-client interactions. About 86 percent HIV incidence in the country is from unprotected sex. Prenatal transmission of the infection is 2.72 percent, whereas 2.57 percent HIV infection is due to transfusion of infected blood or blood products. Though HIV transmission through injecting needles is only 1.97 percent of overall prevalence, it is the major route of the infection transmission in the north-east region. In 1986, following the detection of the first AIDS case in the country, the National AIDS Committee was constituted in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. But as the epidemic spread, need was felt for a nationwide program and an organization to steer the program. In 1992 India s first National AIDS Control Program ( ) was launched, and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was constituted to implement the program. The objective of NACP-I ( ) was to control the spread of HIV infection. During this period a major expansion of infrastructure of blood banks, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in district hospitals and medical colleges, establishment of STD clinics. HIV sentinel surveillance system was also initiated. NGOs were involved in the prevention interventions with the focus on awareness generation. The program led to capacity development at the state level with the creation of State AIDS Cells (SACs) in the Directorate of Health Services in states and union territories. During NACP-II ( ) a number of new initiatives were undertaken and the program expanded to new areas. Targeted Interventions were st arted through NGOs, with a focus on High Risk Groups (HRGs) viz. commercial sex workers (CSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), injecting drug users (IDUs), and bridge populations (truckers and migrants). These interventions includes Behaviour Change 10 management of STDs and condom promotion. The School AIDS Education Program was conceptualized to build up life skills of adolescents and address issues relating to growing up. Apart from this, volunt ary counseling and testing facilities, interventions for prevention for parent to child transmission, free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in selected hospitals was also initiated. The goal of NACP-III( ) is to halt and reverse the epidemic in India over the next five years by integrating programmes for prevention, care, support and treatment by preventing infections among highrisk groups with targeted interventions (TIs) and scaled up interventions in the general population, providing greater care, support and treatment to larger number of PLHAs, strengthening the infrastructure, systems and human resources in prevention, care, support and treatment programmes at district, state and national levels and strengthening the nationwide Strategic Information Management System or (MIS). The specific objective is to reduce the rate of incidence by 60 per cent in the first year of the programme in high prevalence states to obt ain the reversal of the epidemic, and by 40 percent in the vulnerable states to stabilise the epidemic. The mainstay of the NACP Strategy will continue to be prevention since more than 99% of the people are HIV negative. The program will focus on saturating the estimated 4 million high risk groups (commercial sex workers, IDUs and MSM), an estimated 12 million highly vulnerable populations, namely migrants and truckers and the large number of young women and men in the general community who constitute almost 40% of the country s population, with prevention messages. It will also generate the need to reduce risky behavior and rountinize the use of condoms as the only prophylaxis against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. NACP III seeks to implement the principle of a continuum of care. Accordingly, prevention will go hand in hand with access to prophylaxis, management of opportunistic infections and ART, safety measures, positive prevention and impact mitigation. Visit naco :

11 It will also make efforts to address the needs of persons infected and affected by HIV, especially children. This will be done through the sectors and agencies involved in child protection and welfare, nutritional support, income generation and other welfare services. Given the spread of HIV infection into rural areas, NACP III will further decentralize its organizational structure to implement programmes at the district level. Accordingly, dif ferential packages of services have been developed for each category of districts and the proposed District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs) will be strengthened as well. Over the past several years, India has shown a true commitment to improving and investing more in health and specifically for the control of HIV/AIDS. India s epidemic is multiple and diverse, and so the intervention strategies will have to be adapted to the diverse risk and behavioral characteristics. Consistent and regular information about the epidemic is needed, which well represents local data and high-risk groups. It is clear from experiences from other countries and the history of the Indian epidemic so far that to reach the MDG target of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 will require expansion of targeted interventions for high-risk populations, strengthening of the health system at large, improving partnership s with the private sector and civil society, and the backing of these activities with sufficient and sustained funding.. 11

12 Eligibility Criteria for Various Nursing Programme 1. Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives a) The minimum age for admission shall be 15 years on or before 31st December of the year in which admission is sought. b) The maximum age for admission shall be 35 years. c) The minimum educational requirements shall be the passing of: Secondary school certificate Examination (10 years course), 10th class or central board secondary education or recognized by the CBSE for the class X. 2. General Nursing & Midwifery a) Minimum age for admission will be 17years. (as on 31st December of that year) The upper age limit is 35 years. For ANM/ for LHV, there is no age bar. b) Minimum education: class passed or its equivalent preferably with Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) subjects with aggregate of 40% marks. Those who have cleared vocational ANM course from the school recognized by Indian Nursing Council. ANM training i.e ½ years training. c) Admission of students shall be once in ayear. d) Students shall be medically fit. 3. Basic B.Sc. (Nursing) a) The minimum age for admission shall be 17 years on or before 31st Dec. of the year of admission. b) The minimum educational requirements shall be the passing of: Higher Secondary school certificate Examination (12 years course), or Senior School Certificate Examination (10+2), pre-degree Examination (10+2) or An equivalent with 12 years schooling from a recognized board or university with Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and English with minimum of 45% aggregate marks (PCBE). c) Candidate shall be Medically Fit Post Basic B.Sc. (Nursing): Regular To be eligible for admission to this course, a candidate shall have: a) Passed the Higher Secondary or Senior Secondary or Intermediate or 10+2 or an equivalent examination recognized by the university for this purpose. Those who have done 10+1 or 10th in or before 1986, will be eligible for admission. b) Obtained a certificate in General Nursing and Midwifery and registered as R.N.R.M. with the State Nurses Registration Council. A male nurse, trained before the implementation of the new integrated course besides being registered as a nurse with State Nurses Registration Council, shall produce evidence of training approved by Indian Nursing Council for a similar duration in lieu of midwifery in any one of the following areas: O.T. Techniques Ophthalmic Nursing Leprosy Nursing TB Nursing Psychiatric Nursing Neurological and Neuro surgical Nursing Community Health Nursing Cancer Nursing Orthopedic Nursing c) Candidates shall be medically fit. 5. M.Sc. (Nursing) a) The candidate should be a Registered Nurse and Registered midwife of equivalent with any State Nursing Registration Council. b) The minimum education requirements shall be the passing of: B.Sc.Nursing/ B.Sc. Hons. Nursing/ Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing with minimum of 55% aggregate marks. c) The candidate should have undergone in B.Sc.Nursing/ B.Sc.Hons. Nursing/ Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing in an institution which is recognized by Indian Nursing Council. d) Minimum one year of work experience after Basic B.Sc. Nursing. e) Minimum one year of work experience prior or

13 after Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing. a) f) Candidate shall be medically fit. b) g) 5% relaxation of marks for SC/ ST candidates may be give. c) d) Be a registered nurse (R.N. & R.M.) or equivalent. Possess a minimum of one year experience as a staff nurse. Nurses from other countries must obtain an equivalence certificate from INC before admission. Be Physically fit. 6. Post Basic Diplomas The student seeking admission to this course should: Nurses Training Classroom before any refurbishment State- of the- art training classroom after refurbishment under the GFATM project 13

14 The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has established ART centers and Link ART centers in select tertiary hospitals and other district health facilities. These centers cater exclusively to the treatment, care and support of HIV/AIDS patients and free antiretroviral treatment is provided to all eligible patients. NURSES ROLE IN ART CENTERS prevention, care and treatment as mentioned above. The objective of the training is to provide basic information on HIV, AIDS, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) to nurses in India so that they can care for and treat their patients who are HIV positive. NACO envisages the following role of nurses in these ART centers. One or two nurses (depending upon the volume of patients) are to be deputed to the ART centers by the hospital (or institution). They should be in addition to one contractual nurse supported by NACO. Nurses play a very important role at the ART center and their responsibilities include the following: Dispensing of ARV drugs (till a pharmacist is added to the team) Counseling of patients Assisting in record keeping and maintenance of patient documents Streamlining and guiding patients at the ART center and helping the center to run efficiently and in an orderly fashion Coordinating and tracking the referrals made within the hospital by establishing linkage with various departments and inpatient wards Nursing care and follow-up of patients admitted in the hospital. Besides, nurses have an important role to play in antenatal care and prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (PPTCT) in all Prevention of HIV transmission from parent of child centers (PPTCT) centers. The ongoing training of Nurses under the GFATM 7 program is aimed at equipping the nurses to respond the requirements of At the end of the course, it is expected that participants will be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of HIV prevention, comprehensive care, and antiretroviral treatment for adults, pregnant women and children Express confidence in their ability to care for HIV+ patients Utilize clinical decision making skills using a case-based approach to planning and providing care to HIV+ patients Apply the counseling skills acquired during the course to provide support for HIV+ patients Recognize the KEY role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary team approach to HIV care Recognize the symptoms and signs suggestive of HIV infection, arrange for HIV testing and counseling, and refer to ART Centers as required. Recognize and treat opportunistic infections under the supervision of the medical officer. Ensure implementation of universal precautions in the various wards of the hospital. 14

15 Repor t of GFATM-7 From St. Johns College of Nursing, Bangalore A beautiful concept aroused a year back with the name GFATM round 7 where the nurses are targeted for getting trained to prolong the life of PLHA s and make their life meaningful. With the help of INC and Futures group the concept was made, as a project which is now running throughout India with a view to provide training to staff nurses on HIV/AIDS & ART, and in turn PLHA s are benefited to lead their life positively. The most important practical lesson that can be given to a nurse is to teach them what to observe. - Florence Nightingale The above saying came to reality in the hands of St. Johns College of Nursing, Bangalore which was selected as a training centre to carry out the dreams of GFATM Project. On July 27 th the training programme was started with 34 p articipants and 4 resource persons. Till date 14 Training programmes (490 Staf f nurses) have been successfully completed in St. Johns college of Nursing Campus with excellent compliments by each and every participant. We at St John s College of Nursing are always open to suggestions and comments for improvement from the participants which we have incorporated from time to time in every session. The aim of overall training programme is to strengthen the Human and Institution capacities to fight against HIV/AIDS, resulting in prevention, early Nurses Speak treatment and positive living of people living with HIV/ AIDS. St. Johns College of Nursing is equipped with excellent teaching staff to train the staf f nurses to meet the needs of PLHA s and have received great compliments.? sent by a participant: GFATM Project is the excellent project which has targeted nurses for the first time. Before this training we were unaware about certain aspect s regarding HIV/AIDS and ART. The training programme was very useful to each staff nurse who is taking care of PLHA s. We thank St. Johns College of Nursing, Bangalore, INC, New Delhi and Futures Group for providing us an opportunity to participate in this training programme and we assure you that we will bring a change in our attitude to care for patients with HIV/ AIDS. Mr. Ranjith. K. NIMHANS? Message by a participant: This is an excellent training programme I have ever attended in my life and it is highly appreciated for targeting staff nurses working in the government set up. Mrs. Vosvin D souza, NIMHANS Hence the training programme was highly appreciated by all the particip ants for imp arting knowledge on HIV/AIDS & ART to care for PLHA s, changing the attitude towards HIV, removing stigma and discriminating attitudes, and showing that positive living is possible even after the infection. (By Mrs.Pavithra.N.J. Training Coordinator, GFATM Project, St.Johns College of Nursing, Bangalore) 13 th Training of nurses on HIV/AIDS & ART (GFATM-7) conducted at St. Johns College of Nursing, Bangalore. 9 th Nov to 13 th Nov

16 Announcements National Florence Nightingale Nurses Awards National Florence Nightingale Nurses Awards are given as a mark of highest recognition for the meritorious services of the nurses and nursing profession in the country. It has been decided to give this award on 12th May every year by Hon'ble President of India. This day is celebrated all over the world as International Nurses Day on the occasion of birthday of Florence Nightingale. The next award ceremony will be held on 12th May, The award is given to outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs and Voluntary Organizations. The Award consists of cash award of Rs. 50,000/-, a Certificate and a Medal. Selection criteria, application form, instructions for preparing resume of nominee, composition of the State level and Central level Selection Committee and procedure involved for selection of nominees for the award is placed under announcements at INC website namely Printed at Arihant Offset, Tel : ,