WORLD BIOETHICS DAY 2019

World Bioethics Day(WBD) was celebrated on 19^th October 2019 at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research according to the “Common Program” suggested by Hon’ble Chair and WBD Committee. Students from all the constituent colleges under Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research – Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Allied Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Management College were actively involved. Steering committee members of International Network of UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research organized various competitions with the view of imparting knowledge of ethics in health care in a palatable way to the students.

The inaugural program was held at 10.00 AM which was presided over by Honorable Dean-Medical College, Dr.S.Anandan.

Dr.Umasekar, Associate Dean-Medical College at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research gave the welcome address. She highlighted the history and emergence of Bioethics.

Opening speech was given by Dr. A.Ravikumar, Dean-Education. He sensitized the students on importance of bioethics and the various methods adopted in Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research to promote bioethics.

Following which Dr. S.Anandan Dean- Medical College, delivered the inaugural address outlining the evolution and conduct of bioethics education at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education. He went on to add about “PRODEV”, a unique program conducted in Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai from January 2005 till date, to enhance the overall professional development of the medical students.

Dr. A. Ravikumar felicitated Prof. Praveen Kumar Arora, Head, International Committee for World Bioethics Day, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa

Dr. Umasekar, Associate Dean-Medical College felicitated Dr.Pushkala Subramanian, Professor at Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University.

Dr. Pushkala Subramanian addressed the gathering ,she emphasized on cultural diversity and its importance in Bioethics.
Dr. S. Anandan, Dean- Medical College presented the “Most Active Bioethics Member” award to Dr. Harika Chowdary Davuluri, Ex-Chairman Students Bioethics Unit, SRIHER.

This was followed by a talk on WBD 2019 theme “Respect for Cultural Diversity” by the Guest of Honor Prof. Praveen Kumar Arora, Head, International Committee for World Bioethics Day, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa. He summarized the 12 articles under UNESCO universal declaration on cultural diversity.

Vote of thanks was given by Dr.V.P.Karthik, Member of International Network of UNESCO chair in Bioethics at SRIHER.

Scientific oral presentation and Drawing competitions enabled students to showcase their scientific writing and drawing skills. Scientific oral presentations were judged by Dr.V.P.Karthik, Assistant Professor in Pharmacology and Dr.Sangeetha, Associate Professor in Pharmacognosy. Drawing competition was judged by Dr.Praveen Arora, Head International Committee for World Bioethics Day, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa. and Dr.Sathya Prabha, Associate Professor in Physiotherapy.

The debate on “Incentivizing Medical Practice – Who is responsible? Medical Professionals or the Society?” was moderated by Dr. Usha Vishwanath, Secretary, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics at SRIHER and Dr. Sumathy, Professor and Head of Biomedical Sciences.

Students pro-actively organized and took part in skit competitions which were very interesting and interspersed with many cases.

Dr.Usha Vishwanath and Dr.Praveen Arora felicitated judges for all the events at WBD 2019 celebration.

The Program concluded with The Chief Guest, Dr. Praveen Arora and Dr. Usha Vishwanath, distributing prizes for winners of various competitions. The prize winners were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.