“To be able to lead
others, a man must be willing to go forward alone.”
As
rightly put forth by Harry Truman, to
achieve something high, one need not wait for any means of support in terms of
men, money and material. Unique blend of
charisma, vision and character traits to attract other people is just enough to
achieve heights in any field. Here is an exclusive story of a Nurse/Midwife, Mrs. Uma Handa, with a talent of clear
focus on the goal; lead by conviction has successfully accomplished 36
years of illustrative experience in nursing education both in conventional and
distance system with government and private institutions and with national and
international agencies of health. TIME LINE
· 1956: bachelor of Science in Nursing
(Hons) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing, New Delhi
· 1976 - Certificate course in
‘Rehabilitation Nursing’, All India Institute of Physical medicine and
Rehabilitation, Mumbai
· 1979 - Masters in Nursing (Gold
Medal) Specialization in Obstetrics and Gynecology (MCH), Leelabai Thackersey College
of Nursing. SNDT University, Mumbai
· 1980 - Certificate course in
Cardio-Thoracic Nursing, SNDT Univ. Mumbai
· 1994 – Certificate course in
Script writing, Audio-Video production and development of print material.
IGNOU, New Delhi
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NURSING
Known for her contribution in
distance education, with her vision of high sight, she burnt the mid night oil
for up liftment of nursing education through distance mode. She played a leading role in curriculum
development, preparation of course materials, setting up the programme study
centers, developing the examination and evaluation modalities for the 3 year
B.Sc nursing programme through Indira Gandhi National Open University [IGNOU]
Recognized by her work, Athabasca
University Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), appointed her as
consultant for Open University of Srilanka [OSUL] in September 1996, for the
same. Later she performed the similar endeavor in Bangladesh Open University in
1998. She remembers the difficulties she faced in the implementation of nursing
education programme in Bangladesh through Distance mode. She says “at first the
people there, even Principal College of Nursing, was not comfortable with her
move” then she adds gaining the trust is crucial in establishing a professional
relationship at international levels. She continues to say that she was even
successful in solving some of professional problems faced by nurses by
organizing a face to face talk with Vice Chancellor of the university. She was
also consultant for university of Namibia (UNAM) South Africa, to evaluate the
B.Sc Nursing Programme through distance mode. There she even conducted workshop
of the writers to review the curriculum and prepare the course material
accordingly.
ROLE IN UNICEF
4 Years from, 2001 –2005 she lend
her services to UNICEF, India, as a Consultant Nurse/Midwife. During this
period, she Organized workshop for
selection and adaptation of “Standards of Midwifery Practice’ WHO/SEARO and
developed 4 volumes of midwifery training module, including the life saving
skills for ANM/LHV. She took initiation in providing technical support on
capacity building and strengthening partnership between, UNICEF, GOI, TNAI,
FOGSI, ANS,SM,WRAI,CHETNA &other health related NGO,s. she also took conducted “hands on
Skill” training for GNM/ANM/LHV working in rural hospitals and FRU on meeting
obstetric emergencies. She also prepared training modules for ‘Community level
skilled birth attendant’ (CLSBA) a GOI, MOH&FW project supported by
WHO/UNICEF. Assisted GOI, DFW in the
development of national training strategy for midwives/Nurses in RCH-11
AS A NURSE EDUCATOR
She began her graceful career in
1974 as Clinical instructor, L.T College of nursing, SNDT, Mumbai. Following
post graduation, she continued her career as head of Department of OBG Nursing
in the same college. She combined her skills of clinical expertise and
teaching, to shape the next generation nurses. She was then appointed as
lecturer at College of Nursing, AIIMS New Delhi in 1984. She also served as
Vice Principal at Terna College of Nursing, Mumbai. She also executed teaching assignments at
NDRK College of Nursing, Hassan and Choithram College of Nursing Indore.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Ø Gold Medal and Rotary Scholarship
in M.Sc. Nursing for obtaining 1st class with distinction
Ø Merit Scholarship in
Rehabilitation Nursing, a certificate course, All India Institute of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation – Mumbai ( MOH&FW)
Ø Initiated the formation of Nursing Research Society of India (NRSI) Completed two terms as
Honorary Founder Secretary and two terms as president (1987- 2006) The Society
has approximately 800 members on its list and is recognized and supported by
National and International Health agencies. It provides forum for dissemination
and Documentation of Nursing Research in India
Ø Organized Workshop on “Dynamic
Standard Setting System” at Calcutta in collaboration of Royal College of
Nursing, London sponsored by MOH&FW and British Council
Ø Member of Executive Board, Voluntary
Health Association of India – New Delhi. 1986-
1992
Ø Active Member of Trained Nurses
Association of India, Society of Midwives, Nursing Research Society of India,
ICHA, Perinatology assoc. India
Ø Member of the expert Group for
conducting Evaluation of LHV/ANM training schools - Andhra Pradesh
Ø Member of the Core Group on
setting and Validating the “Standards of Nursing Practice – WHO
Ø Presentation of paper on Nursing
Education at satellite symposium of Asian Open University on Open learning
(1994) held at IGNOU, New Delhi
Ø First Nurse to be honored as “Hall
of Fame” Nursing Honor Society, India
Ø Prestigious appointment as
Consultant “Safe Motherhood” project. UNICEF
Ø Member of “Competency Based
Training for Averting Maternal Deaths and disabilities”, (AMDD) CMCH - Vellore
Ø Convener, Golden Jubilee
celebration, Indian Nursing Council, 1999
Ø Convener National Convention of
Society of Midwives, Delhi Chapter
Ø Received Kokilabhen Dhirubhai
Ambani trophy in appreciation of personal contributions to Nursing Profession
LEADERSHIP IN HER AS OBSERVED
She is very flexible lady but she knew when to
stand strong. She always believed leadership is in action not in position. She
had vivid picture of what to do and a firm grasp on what success looked like.
She always stood for justice, in whichever circumstances they were. She
remembers, when she was given responsibility of
evaluation of ANM programme in Andra Pradesh, she noticed that many
institutions were running 3 nursing programmes in one room!!!!.. She stood
forward and with proof and complained it for the high authority and also
demanded for strict and immediate action.
HER WORDS FOR PRESENT NURSES
She always
says “Do not think nothing is sure,
instead be confident that everything is possible. Do not think where the way
takes off, go instead where there is no path and put your talent and
potentiality there. Push yourself into areas where no one has been”. She continues
to say ‘to restore our own belief and guide ourselves”.
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