SHILLONG, April 6: The state-level Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Conference on Oncology Nursing was held at NEIGRIHMS under the theme ‘Cancer Care Re-imagined: Multidisciplinary Collaboration and the Nurse’s Role.’ The event saw an overwhelming participation of over 750 nursing professionals from across the state.
The conference, held on Friday, featured a series of insightful sessions led by renowned experts, covering key topics such as the importance of screening and early detection, treatment modalities, the nurse’s role in cancer care, nutrition, delivering difficult news, pain and palliative care, and building psychological resilience.
In his inaugural address, Director of NEIGRIHMS Prof Nalin Mehta, who served as the chief guest, emphasised the importance of protocol-based nursing care to uphold ethical standards in patient treatment. Recognising nurses as the backbone of the healthcare delivery system, Prof. Mehta lauded the significance of such events in empowering the nursing workforce through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Prof Animesh Mishra, Medical Superintendent and Dean (In-Charge), praised the dedication of nurses in bridging medical disciplines to enhance patient outcomes.
Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr Vikas Jagtap, underlined the vital role nurses play in the multidisciplinary management of cancer care. He noted that their constant presence at the bedside makes them instrumental in transforming healthcare settings into spaces of healing and comfort.
Echoing this sentiment, Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr Caleb Harris, stressed that effective cancer care requires a shared responsibility across all medical disciplines. He acknowledged the critical role of oncology nurses in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
Nursing Superintendent and Chief Coordinator of the CNE Cell, Irene A Nongtraw, highlighted the pivotal role of nurses — not only in delivering clinical expertise but also in providing compassionate care throughout each patient’s cancer journey.