Chandigarh, February 4, 2026: On the occasion of World Cancer Day 2026, the Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Cell, in collaboration with the Department of Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology (CHMO), PGIMER Chandigarh, organised an educational programme titled “Symposium on Oncology Nursing Excellence: United by Unique.” The programme witnessed the active participation of over 100 nursing professionals, underlining the institute’s commitment to strengthening cancer care through empowered and skilled nursing leadership.
The symposium aimed to enhance awareness and professional competence among nursing staff in areas such as cancer prevention, early detection, treatment modalities and holistic patient care. Key discussions focused on addressing stigma, effective patient counselling, management of treatment-related side effects and the adoption of compassionate, evidence-based nursing practices essential for improving cancer outcomes.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent and Head, Department of Hospital Administration, highlighted the central role of nurses in oncology care. He said that nurses are the backbone of cancer care and continuous education equips them not only with clinical skills but also with the empathy and confidence required to support patients through their most challenging journeys.
Dr. Pankaj Malhotra, Head, Department of Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology, spoke about the evolving role of oncology nursing in multidisciplinary cancer management. He noted that advances in cancer treatment demand equally advanced nursing practices and that well-trained nurses significantly enhance treatment adherence, patient safety and overall outcomes.
The academic sessions covered a wide range of oncology nursing priorities. Dr. Lakshay Tyagi, Senior Resident, CHMO, spoke on cancer prevention and screening, while Mr. Shubham, Medical Social Welfare Officer, outlined welfare schemes and support systems available for cancer patients. Dr. Rekha Rani Nar, Nurse Educator, discussed best practices for handling oncological medications, followed by Lt. Col. (Dr.) Naveen Yadav, who addressed long-term toxicity and effects of cancer therapy. An engaging session on empathy-based communication was conducted by Mr. Sunil Kumar, Nurse Educator.
A multidisciplinary panel discussion featuring Prof. Pankaj Malhotra, Prof. Alka Khadwal, Prof. Gaurav Prakash, Dr. Aditya Jandial, Dr. Nancy Sahni, Chief Dietician, and Mrs. Jyoti Bala, Senior Nursing Officer, was moderated by Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal, Additional Professor and Joint Medical Superintendent, Department of Hospital Administration.
Summing up the initiative, Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal, Programme Lead, CNE Cell, said that empowering nurses through structured education is key to delivering patient-centred, ethical and compassionate cancer care. He added that the programme reflects PGIMER’s commitment to building resilient healthcare teams.
The sessions were conducted by nurse educators from the CNE Cell, including Mrs. Meenakshi Vyas, Mrs. Achla Agarwal, Mr. Sunil Kumar and Dr. Rekha R. Nar, under expert guidance. The programme concluded with a strong message of hope, awareness and shared responsibility in the fight against cancer, reinforcing the spirit of World Cancer Day and PGIMER’s continued dedication to excellence in oncology care.
