On 7th and 8th July in continuation to the online workshop, a hands-on training was also conducted for the participants. The inaugural address was attended by Shri Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir via online conference. In his remarks, he emphasized on the importance of preventing Autism and highlighted the need for concerted efforts to address this issue. Stressing on the significance of collaboration, he also stated the Government’s commitment to form meaningful partnerships with organizations like “Children in India”.
Principal, GMC Jammu, Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma gave the opening remarks highlighting the need to work more vigorously for children with autism while R. Britikah, Program Manager, introduced the ‘Children in India’ initiative to the gathering.
The two-day training and management session, organized by ‘Children in India’ in partnership with National Health Mission J&K, Department of Pediatrics (GMC Jammu) and the Child Development Centre, Kerala, witnessed the participation of guests and dignitaries from various medical institutions, Rotary Club Jammu and the Inner Wheel Club of Jammu. A consortium of medical professionals from multiple DEICs, Northern Army Command, NHM, SMGS Hospital and GMC Jammu actively participated in the workshop, which was led by a renowned faculty from the Child Development Centre (CDC), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Dr. Santhosh George, Founder Trustee, Children in India, encouraged the participants to pose relevant queries, proposing an empathetic pathway of care for children with ASD. Dr. Ghanshyam Saini (HoD Pediatrics, GMC Jammu), Dr. Ashu Jamwal (HoD Neonatology) and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Digra (Prof of Pediatrics, GMC Jammu) were present on the occasion.
The two-day session concluded with a hands-on training module on group therapy, led by the expert team from the Child Development Centre, Kerala, providing participants with practical skills to further enhance autism management practices. State Disability Program Coordinator for ‘Children in India’, Jammu, Ms. Vidushi Sharma gave the closing remarks for the session.
