A one week transplant coordinators’ training programme was held between 16^th and 20^th September, 2013. MOHAN Foundation, Bangalore conducted the programme in association with Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), Bengaluru. It was held at the Conference Stage, Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Super Speciality Hospital block at Victoria Hospital Premises. The event was supported by the Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka (ZCCK) for organ transplantation. There were totally 26 participants who were doctors, social workers or nurses.

The Programme was inaugurated by the dignitaries lighting a five-faced kuthu vilakku (oil lamp). The dignitaries present at the inaugural session were: Dr. Ravi Prakash, Dean cum Director of BMCRI, Bengaluru; Dr. Nagesh N.S, Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, PMSSY Hospital, Bengaluru; Ms. Jency Antony, Chief Transplant Coordinator, ZCCK, Bengaluru and Dr.Sumana Navin, Course Director, MOHAN Foundation, Chennai. There were other eminent doctors from PMSSY Hospital who were also present at the inaugural session.

The training programme aimed at empowering the transplant coordinators’ with the skills and knowledge required in successfully tackling deceased organ donation and transplantation. The various sessions that were scheduled covered the following topics: about organ donation; about declaration of brain stem death; about the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994; about grief counselling; the specific role of donor coordinators and recipient coordinators; specifically about kidney, liver, heart and lung transplantation; and the life skills required by a transplant coordinator. Further; several case studies were discussed. Also public education films on organ donation; religion and organ donation; organ procurement and declaration of brain stem death were screened. There were practical sessions on grief counselling where the participants were supposed to role play particular incidents. This helped them to understand the concepts with more clarity.

The valedictory function was held on 20th September, 2013. The Chief Guests for the event were Dr. G. K. Venkatesh and Dr. Girish P. G. Dr. Venkatesh is the Director of Institute of Nephro Urology, Victoria Hospital campus, Bengaluru. He is also the Chairman of the Authorisation Committee for Karnataka and a Member of ZCCK. Dr. Girish is a Special Officer of PMSSY Hospital.