New Delhi, Sept 10 : Former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam inaugurated Organ Transplant and the Continuing Nursing Education at Ayurvigyan Auditorium of Army Hospital Research and Referral (R & R) here today.

Dr. Kalam while speaking to media on the sidelines of the function said, “This is unique and first time in India that in-situ organ transplant was successfully carried out and life was given to two patients from single donor. I extend my heartiest compliments to the entire team of Army Hospital Research & Referral.” He also added that, “this will inspire others to wilfully donate organs to give a gift of life to other fellow beings.

Medical and nursing officers who have got expertise in various areas of organ transplantation are conducting Ten days of educational programme.

The delegates also visited the transplant centres at Army Hospital (R & R), AIIMS, Apollo and Sir Ganga Ram hospitals.

The deliberations were interactive with active participations from the delegates, with the hope that the delegates would teach others in the field of organ transplant and other nursing officers in various Armed Forces hospitals.

At least 250 guests attended the function.

Army Hospital (R & R), a multi-specialty tertiary care centre is organizing a Continuing Nursing Education programme on “Organ Transplant and Different Dimensions of Nursing” from September 08 to 17 being attended by Nursing Officers from Western Command and Nurses from civil institutions.

With large number of transplants done in Armed Forces of late, the need was felt to create awareness among the nursing fraternity of various nursing dimensions of organ transplant care.

The programme was conceived and executed under the able guidance of Lieutenant General Yogendra Singh, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, Lt Gen NK Parmar, Director General Medical Services (Army), Lt Gen OP Mathew, Commandant AH (R & R), Maj Gen T Padmini and Additional Director General Military Nursing Services. (ANI)