Every lesson a teacher leaves behind goes far beyond the classroom, shaping choices, building confidence and influencing lives for years to come. Yet, in caring for generations of students, teachers often find little time to pause and care for themselves. Bringing this thought to life, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata hosted ‘Gurudakshina’, a special Teachers’ Health Summit today, dedicated to the educators who have spent their lives nurturing others. The initiative brought together health awareness, emergency preparedness, preventive care and heartfelt recognition, creating a space where teachers could learn, interact with specialists and, most importantly, place their own health at the centre of the conversation.
The programme commenced with a CPR training 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 session focused on helping educators recognise cardiac emergencies, initiate CPR promptly and understand the importance of immediate intervention until professional medical assistance becomes available.
Emergency preparedness is particularly important in schools and colleges, where teachers and staff are often the first adults available to respond when a student, colleague or visitor experiences a medical emergency. Equipping educators with basic emergency-response skills can help ensure that appropriate action is initiated while professional medical assistance is on its way.
Speaking on the importance of CPR preparedness, Dr. Sujoy Das Thakur, Consultant and In-Charge – Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, said, “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. Teachers interact with students, colleagues and families every day, making them an important part of a wider community that can be prepared to respond during an emergency. By empowering educators with the confidence to recognise an emergency and initiate CPR, we can help create a stronger network of CPR-aware citizens.”
Dr. Kishen Goel, Consultant and HOD – Emergency and Critical Care, Manipal Hospital, Broadway, added, “Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere, and awareness about recognising the signs and responding appropriately should extend beyond healthcare professionals. CPR is a simple but critical skill where timely action can make a meaningful difference. Through initiatives such as the Teachers’ Health Summit, our endeavour is to encourage more members of the community to become better prepared to respond when every second counts.”
The CPR session was followed by the launch of a dedicated Heart Number and a demonstration of the Emergency Room scan process, highlighting the importance of timely access to emergency care. The programme also featured sessions on institutional wellness, healthy-heart exercises, diet and lifestyle practices, along with an open interaction where teachers shared their healthcare expectations and concerns.
As part of the multi-speciality health-awareness sessions, doctors from across Manipal Hospitals Kolkata addressed a range of health concerns relevant to 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 Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria; Dr. Soham Mandal, Consultant – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Manipal Hospital Broadway; and Dr. Ansu Sen, Senior Consultant – Neurology, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, shared insights on preventive care, early warning signs and the importance of timely consultation.
Speaking on neurological well-being, Dr. Subhadeep Banerjee, Consultant Neurologist, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, said, “Stress, inadequate sleep and demanding professional routines can have an impact on neurological well-being and overall health. Persistent headaches, sleep disturbances, memory concerns or changes in concentration should not always be dismissed as routine stress. Paying attention to these symptoms and seeking timely medical advice can help identify underlying concerns early. For educators, prioritising adequate rest, healthy routines and regular health assessments is an important part of sustaining both personal well-being and professional performance.”
Dr. Souvik Roy Choudhury, Senior Consultant – ENT, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, said, “For teachers, the voice is an essential part of their profession, and prolonged speaking, frequent voice strain and inadequate vocal rest can gradually affect vocal health. Persistent hoarseness, throat discomfort or changes in the voice should not be ignored, as they may require timely evaluation. Simple measures such as adequate hydration, appropriate voice use and taking regular vocal breaks can go a long way in protecting voice health. Greater awareness and timely consultation can help educators maintain their vocal health and continue communicating effectively with their students.”
Dr. Soham Mandal, Consultant – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Manipal Hospital Broadway, said, “Back pain and other musculoskeletal concerns can significantly affect a teacher’s ability to carry out everyday professional activities, particularly when prolonged standing, sitting or repetitive movements become part of the routine. Maintaining good posture, staying physically active and addressing persistent pain rather than ignoring it can help protect long-term musculoskeletal health. Preventive awareness is particularly important because small changes in daily habits can contribute significantly to maintaining mobility and quality of life.”
The summit also included a special felicitation of teachers who overcame significant health challenges and defeated all odds at Manipal Hospitals, adding a deeply personal dimension to the initiative. Their journeys served as a reminder of resilience, hope and the importance of timely medical care.
Through ‘Gurudakshina’, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata sought to give back to those who have spent their lives giving to others. By bringing together gratitude, recognition, preventive healthcare and emergency preparedness, the initiative reinforced a simple yet meaningful message, teachers dedicate themselves to building healthier, more informed and compassionate generations, and they too deserve to be cared for, heard and empowered to prioritise their own well-being.
