MOHAN Foundation’s one month Transplant Coordinators’ training programme started on 18th April 2011. Participants from all across India - Indore, Nasik, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Coimbatore and Chennai - are attending the programme.

The first week saw the transplant coordinators being introduced to the structure and function of the human body and the various organs. The structure and function of the brain and cranial nerves was discussed in detail. The legal aspects were also introduced with sessions on the Transplantation of Human Organs Act and Rules. The important subject of counseling techniques, qualities of a counselor and grief counseling were also covered.

As an ice-breaker to talking about solid organ donation, we had sessions on blood donation and eye donation. A visit to the eye bank at Sankara Nethralaya was organized. A diverse country like ours has different religions and therefore the religious and ethical perspectives on organ donation were discussed in detail.

As educating the community is an important part of a transplant coordinator’s role sessions on Public Speaking, Making Effective Powerpoint Presentations and Social Marketing were held. The job of a transplant coordinator is extremely demanding, so there is a need for stress management. The talk on Spiritual Imperatives helped them in this direction.

Faculty – Week 1:

Dr. S. Suresh, Director, MediScan, Chennai
Prof. Jayaram K. Iyer, LIBA, Chennai
Prof. Chandrashekhar Pandey, LIBA, Chennai
Dr. Rema Menon, Director, Dept. of Transfusion Medicine & Blood Bank, Apollo Hospitals
Mr. S.V.G. Subramaniam, Senior Executive – Eye Bank, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
Dr. Navin Jayakumar, Neuro-ophthalmologist & Director, Darshan Eye Clinic
Mrs. Chandni Srinivasan, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee, MOHAN Foundation
Dr. Sumana Navin, Course Director
Ms. Veena & Ms. Sujatha, MOHAN Foundation