Kolkata: Teachers from across Kolkata were brought together for a health-focused programme on Sunday as Manipal Hospitals Kolkata organised ‘Gurudakshina’, a Teachers’ Health Summit, combining CPR training, preventive healthcare discussions and a special felicitation of educators who had overcome serious health challenges.
The programme focused on health concerns particularly relevant to teachers, including emergency preparedness, heart health, neurological well-being, voice-related problems, orthopaedic issues, diet, lifestyle and the importance of timely medical consultation.
A major highlight of the summit was a hands-on CPR awareness session conducted under the supervision of Dr Sujoy Das Thakur, Consultant and In-Charge, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur and Dr Kishen Goel, Consultant and HOD, Emergency and Critical Care, Manipal Hospital Broadway.
The doctors explained how recognising a cardiac emergency quickly and starting CPR without unnecessary delay can be critical while waiting for professional medical assistance. The session also focused on the role teachers can play as first responders in schools and educational institutions.
“In a cardiac emergency, the first few minutes can make a critical difference. CPR is an essential emergency-response skill that can help maintain circulation until advanced medical care is available,” said Dr Sujoy Das Thakur.
Dr Kishen Goel said awareness of cardiac emergencies should not remain limited to healthcare professionals. He stressed the importance of equipping members of the wider community with basic knowledge of emergency response.
The summit also saw the launch of a dedicated Heart Number and a demonstration of the hospital’s Emergency Room scan process, aimed at familiarising participants with the initial steps involved in accessing emergency care.
Doctors from different specialties subsequently addressed the health concerns commonly faced by members of the teaching community.
Dr Dipanjan Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Critical Care Medicine, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass; Dr Souvik Roy Choudhury, Senior Consultant, ENT, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass; Dr Subhadeep Banerjee, Consultant Neurologist, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur; Dr Bastab Ghosh, Consultant Urologist, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria; Dr Supratip Kundu, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria; Dr Soham Mandal, Consultant, Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Manipal Hospital Broadway; and Dr Ansu Sen, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, spoke on preventive healthcare, early warning signs and the need for timely medical attention.
Dr Subhadeep Banerjee highlighted the impact of prolonged stress, inadequate sleep and demanding routines on neurological health. He advised people not to ignore persistent headaches, sleep problems, memory-related concerns or changes in concentration.
For teachers, voice health was another key area of discussion. Dr Souvik Roy Choudhury pointed out that prolonged speaking and repeated voice strain can affect vocal health, advising educators to maintain adequate hydration, use their voice appropriately and take regular vocal breaks. Persistent hoarseness or changes in voice, he said, should be medically evaluated.
Orthopaedic health was also discussed, with Dr Soham Mandal focusing on back pain and other musculoskeletal problems associated with prolonged standing, sitting and repetitive movements. Maintaining proper posture, remaining physically active and seeking medical advice for persistent pain were among the measures discussed during the session.
The programme concluded with the felicitation of teachers who had faced serious health challenges and undergone treatment at Manipal Hospitals. Their experiences were highlighted as examples of resilience and the importance of timely medical intervention.
The ‘Gurudakshina’ initiative brought the focus beyond conventional Teachers’ Day recognition by addressing a practical concern—the health and well-being of educators themselves.
