On December 16 and 17, 2025, MOHAN Foundation under the aegis of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Government of Manipur, organized a two-day Angel of Change Volunteer Training Programme at the State Medical Board Room, DHS, Imphal. The programme aimed to equip volunteers, healthcare professionals, medical social workers, and students with essential knowledge and skills to promote awareness on deceased organ donation at the community level.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. N. Hemantakumar Singh, Director of Health Services, Manipur, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Sinam Rajendra Singh, former Urologist, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), attended as the Guest of Honour, while Dr. Kh. Lokeshwar Singh, Medical Superintendent, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), presided over the inaugural session.

Special invitees included Dr. Ningthoukhongjam Shugeta, Deputy Director, State Medical Board, DHS; Ms. Anisha Khundongbam, Deputy Director (Finance and Operations) and Nodal Officer for Organ Donation and Transplantation, SHIJA Hospital and Research Institute Pvt. Ltd.; and Dr. N. Homendro, State Nodal Officer, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO), Manipur.

During the programme, Ms. Laishram Monica Devi, Project Coordinator (Northeast) and Project Lead, Manipur, MOHAN Foundation, was felicitated by the Director of Health Services in recognition of her leadership and dedicated contributions toward strengthening organ donation initiatives in the state.

The programme featured expert sessions by Dr. Ningthoukhongjam Shugeta; Dr. Hemal Kanvinde, Quality and Assurance Officer, MOHAN Foundation, Chennai; Ms. Laishram Monica Devi, and Ms. Chongtham Pritam, Medical Social Worker, RIMS.

Day One

The programme commenced with participant registration, followed by a welcome address by Ms. Moirangthem Priya, Program Executive, MOHAN Foundation. Participants then introduced themselves, setting a collaborative tone for the training.

Ms. Laishram Monica Devi introduced the training programme and delivered an in-depth session on organ and tissue donation. The session covered the importance of organ donation, eligibility criteria, differences between living and deceased donation, organs and tissues that can be donated, and an overview of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994. She also highlighted the work of MOHAN Foundation, addressed common myths, and explained the distinction between brain death and coma.

An interactive online session titled “Understanding Loss”, facilitated by Dr. Hemal Kanvinde, encouraged participants to reflect on personal and societal experiences of loss. This was followed by online sessions on “Modes of Communication”, focusing on effective communication in the context of organ donation, and an activity on “Writing Gratitude Letters”, reinforcing empathy and community values.

A sociological perspective on organ donation and transplantation was presented by Ms. Chongtham Pritam, Medical Social Worker, RIMS. Her session enriched the discussions, and she was felicitated by Ms. Monica in appreciation of her contribution.

During team-building and planning activities, participants were divided into five groups, namely Hope Givers, Team Giggle, Yahounganba–Yahounganbi, Silly Squad, and Zero Chill Club, and were assigned tasks in preparation for Day Two.

The first day concluded with a summary and key takeaways shared by Ms. Laishram Monica Devi.

Day Two

Day Two began with registration, followed by a recap of Day One and screening of impactful videos on organ donation and brain death, facilitated by Ms. Laishram Monica Devi. These sessions reinforced key messages and reenergized the participants.

A moving session featured Waikhom Sushila Devi, mother of the late Ms. Nongmaithem Karina Devi, who shared a donor family testimonial. Her narrative deeply touched the participants and highlighted the life-transforming impact of organ donation. She was felicitated by Dr. Shugeta and Ms. Monica, making the moment both emotional and inspiring.

Post-lunch sessions included presentations of the pre-training survey on organ donation, group presentations, poster presentations addressing myths related to organ donation, and innovative social media campaign strategies. These reflected the participants’ creativity, understanding, and commitment to advocacy.

The programme concluded with a feedback and planning session facilitated by Ms. Monica and Mr. Bidyananda Laishram, Senior Program Executive, MOHAN Foundation. Participants reflected on their learnings and discussed future action plans.

The two-day training witnessed enthusiastic participation from medical professionals, volunteers, medical social workers, and students, fostering a highly interactive and enriching learning environment.