Nursing programme gets underway at B Borooah Cancer Institute

The tiol Cancer Grid is a network of 108 major cancer centers, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India with the mandate of establishing uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, and also providing specialized training and education in oncology. 

The Oncology Nursing Programme will be attended by trainees from the entire Northeast India. The Oncology Nursing Programme will cover various topics like nursing magement of patients undergoing chemotherapy and palliative care, taking care of surgical stoma after major cancer surgeries, effective communication strategy of nurses with patients, nutritiol and rehabilitation care of cancer patients, and the role of research in oncology nursing. 

Practical session on the morning of first day was held at BBCI and Cancer Hospital, Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

According to Dr Amal Ch Kataki, Director of BBCI, the nurse often has a better opportunity than any other member of the healthcare team to develop the required rapport for effective communication with patients and their family members. 

“The field of oncology nursing in particular is probably one of the most challenging and rewarding fields in nursing care. With the introduction new scientific advancements into cancer care and changes in healthcare delivery, the role of the oncology nurse will continue to evolve,” said Dr Kataki.

Speaking on the occasion, Anita D’Souza, Principal of Nursing College, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Such oncology training programme for nurses organized by the BBCI and tiol Cancer Grid is praiseworthy”.   

The BBCI has tied-up with the Asian Institute of Nursing Education and Regiol College of Nursing at Guwahati to conduct regular updates on oncology nursing. There is also a proposal under consideration for starting post basic diploma training in oncology at BBCI. 

Dr Kataki further added that specialized oncology training of nurses working in cancer treatment centers of the region is very important to raise the standard of cancer care, at par with the best in country.