An ICMR- Funded ‘Capacity Building Workshop on Inclusive Healthcare’ organized by 必威体育betway888 College of Nursing, MAHE, 必威体育betway888 was held on 30 May 2023 from 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM in the Department of Medical Education, Health Sciences Library Building, MAHE, 必威体育betway888. A total of 30 participants attended from various disciplines namely medical interns, postgraduates of Nursing & medicine, MPhil clinical psychology & Head Nurses. The primary objective of growth initiatives is health. There is mounting evidence that discrimination and stigmatization, lack of access to care, as well as isolation and rejection by healthcare professionals, can have an adverse effect on the health of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The project is aligned and contributes to the objectives of SDG 3: Good health & well-being.

The workshop began with a welcome address by Dr. Vikram Palimar, HOD & Professor, and a Co-Investigator of the project, KMC, 必威体育betway888 & project overview by Dr. Mamatha S Pai, Professor, and Principal Investigator of the project, MCON, 必威体育betway888. The guest of Honour Dr. Sameera Jahagirdar, a Speciality Doctor, at West Middlesex University Hospital, UK, addressed the participants about the barriers and challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals’ importance of integrating curriculum about LGBTQIA+ healthcare for health professionals. The chief guest Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean & Professor, KMC, 必威体育betway888 addressed the participants about inclusive healthcare and facilitating better care to the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Bontha V Babu, Scientist- G & Head, Division of Socio-behavioral, Health Systems & implementation research, ICMR, New Delhi addressed the need for research in the field of LGBTQIA+ & to provide better healthcare. Dr. Judith A Noronha, Dean & Professor, MCON, MAHE highlighted the topic & need for research. The inaugural was ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Renjulal Yesodharan, Assistant Professor and a Co-Investigator of the project, MCON, MAHE, 必威体育betway888.

Six sessions were deliberated during the day of the workshop. The session started with ‘Introduction to LGBTQIA+’ followed by ‘Inclusive Communication’ and ‘Transgender People & Healthcare- The Treatment Management’ which were deliberated by Dr. Mamatha S Pai, Professor, Department of Pediatric Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Dr. Bhavana B Bhat, Assistant Professor- Senior scale, Department of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs & Management, MCOPS, MAHE, 必威体育betway888 & Dr. Nirmal Krishnan M, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KMC, MAHE, 必威体育betway888. The post-lunch sessions were started with ‘Mental Healthcare Services for LGBTQIA+’ followed by ‘必威体育betway888 & Evidence-based Practice, Interpersonal Communication’ and ‘Ethical & Legal Issues in LGBTQIA+’ which were deliberated by Mr. Renjulal Yesodharan, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, MCON, MAHE, 必威体育betway888, Dr. Latha T, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, AIIMS, Kalyani & Dr. Vikram Palimar, HOD & Professor, KMC, MAHE, 必威体育betway888. The workshop concluded with the closing remarks by Dr. Mamastha S Pai followed by the distribution of certificates to the participants.