Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu,DD, AIIMS Jammu organised a comprehensive CME-cum-Simulation Workshop on Obstetric Anaesthesia, built around the central theme “Preventing the Preventable,” bringing together a distinguished assembly of experts, residents, postgraduate trainees and over 70 delegates from medical institutions across Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative, led by the Department of Anaesthesiology, served as a platform to integrate academic dialogue with hands-on simulation-driven training, aiming to strengthen maternal safety protocols and elevate clinical preparedness in obstetric anaesthesia.
The scientific deliberations featured esteemed national faculty, including Prof. Kajal Jain, Prof. Anju Grewal and Dr. Soumya Sarkar from PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Bathinda, whose sessions offered deep insights into evolving standards of labour analgesia, high-risk obstetric evaluation, neonatal resuscitation environments and structured perioperative planning. Their contributions were supplemented by expert perspectives from Dr. Manokanth Madapu of Fernandez Hospitals, Hyderabad, renowned for his work in specialised obstetric anaesthesia models; Dr. Meeta Gupta from AIIMS Jammu, discussed intrapartum anaesthesia considerations in resource-variable settings; and Dr. Renu Wakhloo from GMC Jammu, highlighted region-specific maternal risk burdens and the evolving contextual needs of obstetric emergency networks.
Delegates and participating faculty from GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Udhampur, ASCOMS, SMVDU College of Nursing and other medical and health institutions enriched the inter-disciplinary discourse, ensuring representation across training levels and service frameworks. This inclusivity reinforced the academic value of the workshop while allowing participants to correlate simulation protocol outcomes directly with real-world obstetric pressure environments.
The scientific programme was designed to blend structured theoretical instruction with immersive simulation modules, enabling participants to navigate complex maternal emergencies such as postpartum haemorrhage, obstetric airway compromise, delayed recognition of anaesthetic complications and multi-team response alignment. The hands-on simulation sessions highlighted the value of team coordination, early clinical triggers, escalation pathways and communication precision—factors recognised globally as determinants of maternal outcome improvement.
Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu, welcomed all participants to the Obstetric Anaesthesia CME–cum–Simulation Workshop, highlighting the theme “Preventing the Preventable” as a vital step towards safe motherhood and reducing preventable maternal mortality. He appreciated the workshop’s practical and hands-on approach, covering critical obstetric scenarios, labour analgesia, obstetric haemorrhage management, and emergency preparedness, emphasizing the role of high-fidelity simulation in enhancing clinical skills, judgement, and team coordination. Prof. Gupta encouraged delegates to actively engage, learn from each session, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that every insight gained today directly contributes to improving maternal care outcomes.
The workshop was curated and executed with notable precision by the Department of Anaesthesiology, AIIMS Jammu. Organizing Chairperson Dr. Sunana Gupta and Organizing Co-Chairperson Dr. Shruti Sharma led the initiative, supported by Scientific Committee Chairperson Dr. Raksha Kundal, Organizing Secretary Dr. Sandeepika Dogra, Organizing Co-Secretary Dr. Kanika Gupta and Simulation Committee members Dr. Slomi Gupta and Dr. Aleesha Gupta. Their leadership ensured systematic academic progression, robust simulation transitions and participant engagement across all modules of the programme.
Through academic exchange, advanced simulation exposure and multi-institutional participation, the workshop reaffirmed AIIMS Jammu’s commitment to strengthening the national landscape of maternal care delivery. It further reinforced the institute’s position as a regional centre for patient safety enhancement and anaesthesia training, creating a sustained pathway for clinical preparedness, skilled response systems and high-fidelity learning in obstetric crisis management.DD
