The first ever Transplant Coordinators’ Training Programme in Bangladesh was held from 14th to 17th September 2014 in Dhaka. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Society of Organ Transplantation (SOT) and Kidney Foundation, Bangladesh, on the invitation of Dr. Harun Ur Rashid, President, SOT. The training was part of the 2nd National convention and Scientific seminar of SOT, Bangladesh.

Dr. Harun Ur Rashid welcomed the MOHAN Foundation faculty comprising Dr. Sunil Shroff, Mrs. Lalitha Raghuram, Dr. Sumana Navin, and Mrs. Pallavi Kumar. Dr. Sunil Shroff gave a brief overview of MOHAN Foundation’s journey. He also spoke about the courageous decision of Mrs. Lalitha Raghuram and Mr.Raghuram to donate the organs of their 19-year-old son Swamy Narayan who passed away in a tragic road accident. To have Mrs. Raghuram in their midst both touched and inspired the audience. The four-day training programme drew 81 participants from both government and private hospitals in Dhaka – doctors, nurses and social workers. The Bangladesh faculty delivered lucid and interesting lectures. The faculty comprised Prof. M.A. Salam, Prof. S.A. Khan, Prof. Shamim Ahamed, Prof. Shamima Parvin Lasker, Prof. Nurul Islam, Prof. Muhammad Rafiqul Alam, and Prof. Selimur Rahaman.

At the valedictory function, Prof. S. A. Khan and the Kidney Foundation team set the tone with an inspiring rendition of the song “We shall overcome” in Bengali and English. One of the participants, Dr. Aaliya, Clinical Psychologist from Apollo Hospitals, Dhaka, said that they were taking back with them the positive attitude and smiles of the MOHAN Foundation team! Mrs. Lalitha Raghuram said that the training programme in Bangladesh was not the end, but the beginning of the journey. She added that MOHAN Foundation would be happy to assist Kidney Foundation in its task. Prof. M.A. Salam, urologist, said that “Required request” should be incorporated in the Bangladesh law like in India. Dr. Harun Ur Rashid expressed his appreciation for the enlightening training programme put together by MOHAN Foundation. He commended the participants for taking up this endeavour with enthusiasm. He felt that Bangladesh, like India, could implement the deceased organ donation programme through dedicated doctors, nurses and social workers.