Patna: AIIMS Patna on Thursday inaugurated the National Master Training (Training of Trainers) on the Safe Newborn and Child Care Patient Safety Module, a two-day national workshop aimed at strengthening patient safety practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across the country.
The programme, being held on July 9 and 10, has brought together 57 faculty members, medical officers and nursing officers from government medical colleges, district hospitals and premier institutions, including AIIMS Patna, AIIMS Kalyani and AIIMS Deoghar. The participants will be certified as master trainers and are expected to conduct similar programmes at their respective institutions.
Building Capacity for Safer Neonatal Care
The workshop focuses on equipping healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge and practical skills to improve the quality and safety of newborn care.
Technical sessions cover medication safety, infection prevention and control, safe clinical practices, effective communication and quality improvement strategies aimed at reducing preventable harm and improving neonatal outcomes.
Training is being delivered by experts from Chandigarh, New Delhi, AIIMS Patna and IGIMS, representing the departments of Neonatology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Microbiology and Emergency Medicine. The programme includes simulation-based learning, interactive discussions and case-based deliberations.
Dignitaries Emphasise Patient Safety
The inaugural ceremony was held at the E-Classroom of AIIMS Patna in the presence of senior officials from the Government of India, the Government of Bihar and leading healthcare institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Kumar Ravi, IAS, Secretary, Health Department, Government of Bihar, said the initiative would help improve neonatal care standards across Bihar and other parts of the country by creating a trained network of healthcare professionals.
Dr. Sujata Chaudhary, Additional Director General of Health Services and Head of the National Patient Safety Secretariat, said patient safety forms the foundation of quality healthcare. She stressed the importance of continuous capacity building, adherence to standard treatment protocols and developing a culture of safety to minimise preventable adverse events.
Welcoming participants, Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Patna, said patient safety is central to excellence in neonatal care. He noted that trained healthcare professionals can help protect newborn lives by promoting evidence-based practices and preventing avoidable errors.
Dr. Avinash Sunthlia, Deputy Assistant Director General at the National Patient Safety Secretariat, highlighted the need to integrate patient safety into routine clinical practice through teamwork, effective communication and standardised healthcare processes.
Dr. Sunil Babu, President of GAVB, Piramal Foundation, underscored the role of collaborative partnerships in strengthening newborn and child healthcare in India.
Plantation Drive Marks Inaugural Event
As part of the inaugural programme, Kumar Ravi, Dr. Sujata Chaudhary and Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal participated in a plantation drive on the AIIMS Patna campus. According to the organisers, the initiative symbolised a shared commitment to promoting healthier communities and a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
The inaugural session was also attended by Prof. Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Patna; Prof. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Dean (Academic In-charge), AIIMS Patna; Dr. Bhabesh Kant Chowdhry, Head of Neonatology; Dr. Divendu Bhushan, Head of Emergency Medicine; senior faculty members, national trainers and healthcare professionals from institutions across the country.
Nationwide Impact
At the conclusion of the programme, all 57 participants will receive certification as Master Trainers. They will subsequently lead similar capacity-building initiatives in medical colleges, district hospitals and other healthcare institutions.
According to AIIMS Patna, the programme is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen patient safety, improve neonatal healthcare standards and advance medical education through structured national training initiatives.
