April 2023
Pediatric Floor Dedicated in the Memory of Shri N Sankar, Chairman, The Sanmar Group
The 5th floor (MAHYCO block) on which the Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is located was dedicated to the memory of one of our greatest supporters, Late Shri N Sankar, Chairman, The Sanmar Group, on Monday, 17th April 2023. The illustrious Shri N. Sankar, Chairman of The Sanmar Group, had visited Sankara Nethralaya several times and had made meaningful contributions including the SN – Sanmar Centre of Excellence for Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SeNSCE SJS), and the Refractive Surgery / Laser Vision Correction Centre at Jagadguru Kanchi Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Nethra Nilayam (JKCN Complex). He had always shown a keen interest in Sankara Nethralaya’s community and outreach services, and generously supported the varied projects implemented by our institution.
Among the distinguished guests who gathered to commemorate the occasion were Shri N. Ram, Director, THG Publishing Private Limited, who unveiled the name board. Shri Vijay Sankar, Deputy Chairman, The Sanmar Group, son of Shri Sankar, Smt. Madhurika, a venture investor and writer (daughter), Smt. Chandra Sankar, wife of Shri N. Sankar, and Shri Kumar, his brother were present at the unveiling. Vijay Sankar recollected his family’s long relationship with Sankara Nethralaya’s noble service to humanity. He lauded the institution for continually striving to light up the lives of deserving patients.
In 2021, Shri Vijay Sankar had inaugurated SeNSCE SJS, in the Sanmar family tradition of reaching out to those in need.
Shri N Sankar’s philanthropy was instilled in him by his father, Sri K. S Narayanan, who had dedicated the Mrs. Madhuram Narayanan Surgical Complex at JKCN to the nation on 12th December 2001.
Mrs. Madhuram Narayanan Charitable Trust and Foundation were also strong supporters of Medical Research Foundation. The then trustees of these charitable entities – Sri K.S. Narayanan, his Sri N Sankar and Sri N Kumar, had always been magnanimous in providing aid for sustained comprehensive healthcare.
Sankara Nethralaya’s paediatric department is a highly specialized, niche and advanced eye care facility offering expert diagnosis and treatment for the entire gamut of ophthalmic problems in children belonging to the age groups from ‘just born’ to ‘teens’ as well as for adults with strabismus.
Sankara Nethralaya Hospital Safety Committee celebrates Hospital and Patient Safety Awareness Week
The Hospital Safety Committee was formed in 2021 with the aim to prevent and reduce risks, errors and harm that occur during provision of care. The basis of Hospital Safety is to continually improve ourselves based on the learnings from near-miss errors and no-harm events. One of the ways to create awareness and engage employees in the process of increasing patient and employee safety within the institution is to celebrate Hospital Safety Awareness Week (15th to 18th March) with four days packed with informative programmes.
15th March: The theme – Nutrition and Exercise for Fitness
A painting contest to educate everyone on the theme “Eat Healthy and Stay Healthy” and A session on ‘Tips for zero oil cooking’ conducted by Dr. N. Anuradha, Principal, Elite School of Optometry, and Dr. Sumita Agarkar, Deputy Director, Dept. of paediatric Ophthalmology, was very well-received by the health conscious SN family. A yoga session to teach a few breathing exercises invigorated everyone at the end of a busy day.
16th March: The second day’s theme was “Health is Wealth”
Starting off with a health clinic for employees in the morning, the much-awaited event – the pattimandram on “Parambariyam vs Naveena Unnavu” was a spicy topic. Team Parambariyam comprised of Dr. Mani Baskaran, Deputy Director –Glaucoma Services, Dr. Niveditha Narayanan, Senior Consultant – C U Shah Cornea Services, Ms. Saranya .S, Microbiology lab, Mr. Jayachandran. D, Department of Patient Services and Team Naveena Unnavu comprised of Dr. Kavitha Kalaivani, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Ophthalmology Services, with Dr. N. Anuradha, Principal, Elite School of Optometry, Ms. Sudha Mohan, Manager – HR, Ms. Janani, Optometrist, respectively. The event was judged by Dr. T. S. Surendran. The teams were evenly matched and the official winner was declared as Team Parambariyam.
Dr. Nisar Sonam Poonam, Associate Consultant, Department of Orbit, Oculoplasty, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Services, provided very helpful “Wabi – Sabi” beauty-related tips to beat the summer heat. Aarogya Chennai/ Suswastha Kolkata mobile photography competition was conducted simultaneously.
17th March: The third day’s theme was “Safety First is Safety Always”
A Treasure Hunt using Safety Clues started from MAHYCO Block -1st Floor, led to the fourth floor, then ended on the first floor of V. G. Block. In this interesting game, ninety nine employees participated to search for the safety equipment, which are kept at various floors and used during medical emergencies.
The annual “Horror Show – Spot the Mistakes” was an educational opportunity for ninety one employees to brush up on their knowledge of finding out errors not only in the hospital but also in general safety management (wearing helmet, no drunk driving, avoiding going over the speed limit, etc.).
The session on “Tips on Investment” by Dr. Kumaresh. B. S., helped our employees in sound financial planning for their later years.
The valedictory function was hosted by Dr. V. V. Jaichandran with Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, officiating along with Dr. Ronnie George, President & Director of Research, Director of Glaucoma Services, and Dr. Pramod Bhende, Director, Vitreoretinal Services. Dr. V. V. Jaichandran presented the annual report for the year – March 2022 to Feb 2023.
The Rolling Trophy for the Best Safety – Department was shared by Dept of Nursing and Dept. of Medical Records.
The Rolling Trophy for Best Safety – Branch was won by SN Main.
Mr. Senthil Kumar. M – Department of Finance – IP Billing was awarded as the Best Star performers (Male) of the year 2022 – 2023; while Ms. V. Kowsalya – Department of Nursing – Staff Nurse, was awarded as the Best star performers (Female) of the year 2022- 2023.
The best 7 catches of near miss (Mar’ 2022 – Feb’ 2023) were identified and the severity of the incidents were briefed by Dr. VVJ. All the 7 staff were recognized with prizes.
Dr. Girish S. Rao, Dr. Pramod Bhende, and Dr. Ronnie George gave away the prizes to the Star Safety campaigners and the winners of the competitions.
TSNA ORGANISES THE FBDO CERTIFICATION CEREMONY!
It was a day of celebrations at TSNA on 18th March 2023, when eight students of TSNA were certified as Fellows of British Dispensing Opticians by Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), UK.
The FBDO Diploma started as a collaborative program in association with ABDO, UK, in the year 2011. 181 students have so far enrolled and benefitted from the Program.TSNA conducts two formats of the Program – one a 3 year Blended Learning Program and the other, a one year top up course for fully qualified Optometrists.
On 18th of March 2023, 8 candidates received FBDO Diplomas in all, out of which 6 candidates had completed the 3 year Diploma and 2 the One year program.
1.Prerna Mhaske
2.Siddharth Karthikeyan (In absentia)
3.Vimal (In absentia)
4.Dinakaran Vishnupriyan
5.Bharathi priya
6.Ravi Prakash
7.Rakesh Vedachalam
8.Mayuri