International Day for Disaster risk reduction: Awareness program inaugurated at Dr. TMA Pai Hall in Manipal

Manipal: An awareness programme marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was inaugurated today at Dr. TMA Pai Hall, Manipal. The event was organized by KH Learn and the Centre for Disaster Management, in collaboration with the Departments of Emergency Medicine, Hospital Administration, and Community Medicine, with a focus on educating and empowering the next generation for a resilient future.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean of Kasturba Medical College, Dr. Padma Rani, Director of Manipal School of Communication, Dr. Anil Rana, Director of Manipal Institute of Technology, Dr. Somshekar Baht, Joint Director of MIT, Dr. Naveen, Professor and Head of the Department of Hospital Administration, and Dr. Jayaraj Mymbilly Balakrishnan, Professor and Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at KMC Manipal.

After lighting the ceremonial lamp and paying floral tribute to Dr. TMA Pai, the event’s inauguration was uniquely marked by a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training demonstration, where guests participated in learning this essential life-saving technique. This practical approach emphasized the importance of preparedness in the face of emergencies, aligning perfectly with the day’s theme.

Kicking off the event, Dr. Jayaraj Mymbilly Balakrishnan highlighted the importance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizing the key stages of disaster management: preparedness, response, and recovery. He stressed the need for structured training and education, stating, “Disaster management is about both immediate response and long-term planning. Through education, we can equip healthcare professionals to handle crises, reduce loss, and support communities. Our goal is to instill these values in the next generation.”

A note from Dr. Sharath Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences at MAHE, read by Dr. Manu Sudhi, Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine, highlighted MAHE’s active role in disaster management initiatives both locally and globally. Dr. Padma Rani reinforced the importance of effective communication during crises, while Dr. Padmaraj Hegde focused on the day’s theme, “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future,” stressing the importance of proactive disaster preparedness.

The event also featured two esteemed experts who joined online: Prof. Santosh Kumar, CEO of the Institute of Safety and Security Management, and Mr. Sanjay K Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction at UN ESCAP. Both provided global insights into disaster management, emphasizing the need for international collaboration and resilient strategies to reduce disaster risks.

Dr. Anil Rana, Director of MIT, emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in disaster management. “Disaster management isn’t the responsibility of one field alone. Engineers, healthcare professionals, and communicators all have a role to play in reducing the impact of disasters. We must work together to build resilient systems for the future,” he stated.

The welcome note was delivered by Dr. Aishwarya T.R., Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Administration, and the event was gracefully hosted by Dr. Prithvishree Ravindra, Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. The vote of thanks was extended by Dr. Rachana, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, concluding the event on a positive note.

The programme continued with sessions led by experts in disaster management, focusing on strategies for risk reduction, preparedness, and the integral role healthcare professionals play in managing disasters.