SLMAnews-2013-02

President's Note

Contents

Publishing and printing assistance by

This Source (Pvt.) Ltd etc.,236/14-2,Vijaya Kumaranathunga Mawatha,Kirulapone, Colombo 05,Sri LankaTele: [email protected]

Dr B J C PereraPresident,Sri Lanka Medical Association,No.06, Wijerama Mawatha,Colombo 07, Sri Lanka

Dear colleague,

Things are rolling on in the SLMA. We had a col-laborative Pre-Congress Workshop with the Kandy Society of Medicine in February 2013 and a Joint Meeting with the Nuwara - Eliya Clinical Society is scheduled for the 19th of March 2013. There will be several other Provincial Meetings in the near fu-ture. A Speech Craft Programme to augment public speaking skills through Toastmasters International will commence on the 20th of February 2013.

The Annual Scientific Congress is from the 10th to the 13th of July 2013. The Chief Guest will be Profes-sor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, President, British Medical Association. He is a Sri Lankan who has reached the highest pinnacles of academic excel-lence and is a world renowned authority in many obstetric and gynaecological territories. There will be several other eminent speakers from right round the globe. We hope that as many doctors as possible would be able to attend this event which would be hosted at the Waters Edge Resort, Battaramulla.

The unwavering commitment to Continuing Pro-fessional Development and many ramifications of healthcare related to safety and quality would be the running thread of all academic activities of the SLMA this year.

I conclude with fervent wishes for continuing excel-lence in all your work.

Page No.

Our Advertisers

GalaxoWelcome Cylone Ltd

Atlantis Developments (Pvt.) Ltd. (110 Parliament Road)

DFCC Vardhana Bank

Alliance Finance Co. PLC

Guardian Acuity Asset Management Ltd.

Tokyo Cement Group

Astron Ltd.

A. Baurs & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd.

Asiri Surgical Hospital

Emerchemie NB (Ceylon) Ltd.

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals

1

February 2013 Volume 06 Issue 02

SLMANEWSTHE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE SRI LANKA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Notice board 02

Portfolios in postgraduate medical education: a tool for learning and assessment 06

Challenges and pitfalls in management of hyperparathyroidism 10

Meeting with chairpersons and secretaries/ Convenors of the SLMA Committees 10

A workshop on computer ergonomics 12

Dr. Nimal Lucas wins seven medals at New Zealand Masters Games 12

Introductory remarks on the booklet 13

Temporary ban on cough syrups containing dextro methorphan 13

Chairpersons and secretaries of SLMA committees 14-15

E M Wijerama endowment lecture 2010 16

Adisham bungalow, Haputale, Sri Lanka : a ‘one-day trip’ from Colombo. 20

Joint Clinical Meeting with the Hill Country Medical Society 21

Healthy schoolbag promoted at “Healthfest” 22

Annual history of medicine lecture 2013 24

Sri Lanka medical library 26

Impact of banning smoking in public places 27

Official Newsletter of The Sri Lanka Medical Association.

February, 2013 SLMANEWS

2

Notice Board

Workshop on

"Writing and publishing journal articles : Ways to decrease stress and increase success"

Resource person : Prof. Barbara Gastel MD, MPH.

(Professor, Department of Humanities in Medicine, Texas A & M University)

Date : 14th March 2013Time : 12 noon to 1.30 pmVenue : Lionel Memorial Auditorium, SLMARegistration fee : Rs. 200 (Lunch will be provided)

DOCTORS CONCERT 2013

By doctors and their families 11th JULY 2013 at 7.00 PM at the Water’s Edge

Fresh Talent is always welcome !

If you like to participate please contact the Social Secretaries and the SLMA Office

by 31st May 2013

Dr. Suriyakanthie Amarasekara - [email protected]

Dr. Gamini Walagampaya - [email protected] SLMA Office - [email protected]

Research Grants 2013The applications for the following research

grants are invited:

FAIRMED Foundation - SLMA Research Grants in Neglected Tropical Diseases 2013

The maximum possible total value of the above grant is LKR 1,000,000

SLMA RESEARCH GRANT 2013

SLMA/Glaxo Wellcome Research Grant -2013

Further information could be obtained from,

- SLMA News January 2013 issue

- http://www.slmaonline.info/index.php/research-grant-2013.html

Closing dates for applications : 15th March 2013.

DISCOUNTED AIRLINE TICKETS FOR THE SLMA SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS

10th – 13th JULY 2013

Sri Lankan Airlines, the official airline for the SLMA 2013 Congress, has kindly offered all par-ticipants and accompanying persons a 15 per-cent discount on economy class airfare and a 10 percent discount on business class airfare, on the prevailing market fare at the time of ticketing, for purchase of tickets for registered delegates travel-ling to Sri Lanka from their online stations.

The online code for special discount is operational now. All the participants need to do is to send an e-mail to either [email protected] or [email protected] and the airline will make arrangements to provide the discount.


4


A workshop on Factor Analysis Date : 07th of March 2013Time : 9.00 am to 1.00 pmVenue : Lionel Memorial Auditorium, SLMA. Objectives: • Making decisions in building a factor analysis - number of factors to retain - rotation method to use • practical experience in using SPSS.• interpretation of Factor analysis results. Participants are expected to bring their Laptops. Resource person: Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Department of Public Health,

Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Registration : Course fee : Rs. 500/= per participant (Refreshments would be provided)Contact detail : Phone- 0112693324

(Ms. Nirmala) e-mail- [email protected]

Closing date : 28th March 2013

CALL FOR ORATIONSApplications are called for the following

orations to be delivered in 2013

SLMA Oration - July 2013, Waters Edge

S C Paul Oration - July 2013, Waters Edge

Murugesar Sinnetamby Oration

Sir Nicholas Attygalle Oration

Sir Marcus Fernando Oration

Further details could be obtained from SLMA News January 2013 Issue

Closing date for submission : 15th March 2013.

Call for abstractsApplications are called for abstracts for 126th

Annual Scientific Congress

For further details: SLMA News January 2013 issue

Portal for submission of abstract:

http://www.slmaonline.info/index.php/submit-your-abstract.html

Closing date for submissions: 15th March 2013.

126th Annual Scientific Congress “Towards continuing enhancement of quality and safety in healthcare”

Key dates to remember : Closing date for submission of abstracts : 15th March 2013

Inauguration and SLMA Oration : 10th July 2013

126th Annual Scientific Congress : 11th to 13th July 2013

Registration fees for the 126th Annual Scientific Congress Full Registration for the Main Congress SLMA Member : Rs 3000/- Non-member Doctors : Rs 3500/- Non-Doctors and Medical Students : Rs: 500/-

Day Registration for any doctor (Member or Non-Member) : Rs 1500/- per dayRegistration for individual workshops : Rs 1000/- per WorkshopFull Registration for Sports Medicine Workshop :Rs 2000/-(for Doctors, Physiotherapists, Coaches and Trainers)

SLMANEWS February, 2013

5

Induction of...


6

Portfolios in Postgraduate Medical Education: a tool for learning and assessment Indika Karunathilake1 & Asela Olupeliyawa2

1Director, 2Lecturer, Medical Education Development And Research Centre (MEDARC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

IntroductionPortfolios are now well

established as an aid for learning and an instru-ment for assessment in medical education. Medical schools and professional colleges are placing more emphasis on students’ and trainees’ personal and professional development, and portfolios have been recommended to assess students and trainees and to support revalidation of doctors in practice.(1,2) Portfolios are ubiquitous internationally in postgraduate medical education and several boards of study at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka have adopted portfolios in their assessment of trainees. In this context it is important to understand the principles of portfolio-based learning and assessment, particu-larly for clinical training.

What makes a portfo-

lio?

A portfolio can be de-scribed as a collection of material brought together as evidence that learn-ing has taken place.(3)

However, it is essential that the portfolio does not become a random collec-

tion of learning experiences which are merely reported on. Two main educa-tional principles underlying portfolio-based learning are Constructive Alignment and Reflective Practice, and these may form the basis for developing a portfolio.

Constructive alignmentConstructive alignment

is described as learners actively seeking and devel-oping their own knowledge through individual and social activity, where both teaching and assessment tasks are aligned with the programme outcomes.(4) Evidence included in port-folios contain a learner’s work over a period of time and is limited only by the degree of the designer’s creativity. The evidence is usually paper-based (e.g. a written research report), but may include any appropri-ate evidence of learning and achievement (e.g. an audio recording of a patient

consultation).(5) In portfo-lio development students participate in the selection of the contents, review-ing the criteria for judging the merit of the collection and in self-reflection. In outcome-based curricula, such portfolio evidence and reflections may be grouped according to the educational outcomes of the programme (i.e. the ex-pected roles of the student or trainee), for instance as medical expert, researcher, healthcare team worker, and professional.(6) The structured flexibility of the portfolio thus promotes constructive alignment.

Reflective practices

The difference between portfolios and log-books is that log-books are check-lists/ records of tasks whereas portfolios contain reflection on own prac-tice.(7) Reflective practice is central to experiential learning in the workplace,

and thinkers like Schön, Kolb and Eraut have theo-rized that effective learning should involve completion of learning cycles as below. By reflective practice a learner can identify his/ her strengths and weaknesses and take focused remedial action.

A portfolio can include a record of these learning cy-cles. Thus portfolios should contain critical reflection of the learning from class-room-based or workplace-based experiences while feedback from peers and tutors as well as evidence of self-assessment can also be incorporated within such reflection.

A comprehensive portfo-lio will provide an examiner with evidence on engage-ment with reflective prac-tice while the process of portfolio development will be of educational value to the learner.

Figure 1: Learning cycles of reflective practice in portfolios8

Contd. on page 8


8

The uses and challenges of a portfolio assessment

As described above, the main function of a portfolio is as a tool for self-directed learning. Completing the portfolio over time allows multiple opportunities for revision and reflec-tion. A portfolio is thus an ideal tool for formative assessment, to provide constructive feedback so that learn-ers are motivated and are able to learn from their errors and remedy deficiencies.(9) Portfolios can also ac-commodate evidence of learning from a range of different contexts, which makes it ideal to assess a diverse range of outcomes.(5) Furthermore, a portfolio can validly assess higher levels of competence i.e. at the ‘does’ level,(10) as it assesses learners within authentic, real-life settings.

Portfolios can aggregate assess-ment evidence and can thus be used to bring together programmes of assessment, and the benefits of a summative assessment portfolio that aggregates workplace-based assess-ments with opportunities for reflec-tion are supported by a recent case study with students near internship at Maastricht medical school.(11). A sys-tematic review of medical education literature identify the main benefits of portfolio use as improved knowl-edge and understanding, increased self-awareness through engagement in reflection, and improved student–tutor relationships resulting in better feedback to students.(12). In summary, these features are particularly useful for postgraduate trainees who should be assessed in the workplace and who should be encouraged to learn from work-based experiences.

Validity and reliability of a portfo-lio assessment can be enhanced through several strategies. Validity may be enhanced through alignment with outcomes and the use of multiple sources. In portfolios for professional practice it has been suggested that

evidence covering the domains of pa-tient care, personal development and management of the workplace con-text are critical.(8) In order to improve reliability students should be sensi-tized to portfolios, portfolios should be marked by trained assessors who have undergone calibration exer-cises, and ratings should be based on measurable and pre-established standards.(13,14) Medical teachers and students are always cautious in accepting new modes of assessment and therefore their concerns and apprehensions on portfolio assess-ment should be addressed.(3) Clear communication of details to learners is essential as lack of transparency about purpose, structure and assess-ment criteria can lead to cynicism and failure to achieve the desired outcomes.(7) The feasibility of portfolio assessment, particularly the logistics, is another concern.

However, a learner-led approach where students selected the assess-ment tasks, drew positive reactions from final year students in Maas-tricht.(11) Specific aims that are well understood by tutors and students, and clear guidelines on task require-ments, word limits, and expected time commitments will improve the utility of portfolio assessments.(12)

ConclusionPortfolios allow flexibility and con-

trol of the learning activities for the learner while being aligned with the programme outcomes, and provide opportunity for feedback and reflec-tion.

The challenges in portfolio as-sessment can be addressed through planning and commitment. It is a valid and reliable assessment tool with a strong educational impact and should have an important place in the Sri Lankan setting, particularly for post-graduate medical education.

References1. General Medical Council. The New Doctor. London:

GMC; 1997.

2. General Medical Council. Revalidating doctors: en-suring standards, securing the future. London: GMC; 2000.

3. Davis MH, Friedman M, Harden RM, Howie P, Ker J, McGhee C, Pippard MJ, Snadden D. Portfolio assess-ment in medical students’ final examinations. Med Teach, 2001;23:357-66.

4. Biggs J. Enhancing teaching through constructive alignment. High Educ, 1996;32:347-64.

5. Challis M. AMEE Medical Education Guide No. 11: Portfolio-based learning and assessment in medical education. Med Teach, 1999;21:370–86.

6. Driessen EW, Van Tartwijk J, Vermunt JD, Van Der Vleuten CPM. Use of portfolios in early undergradu-ate medical training. Med Teach, 2003;25:18-23.

7. Snadden D, Thomas M. The use of portfolio learning in medical education. Med Teach, 1998;20:192-9.

8. Wilkinson, TJ, Challis M, Hobma SO, Newble DI, Parboosingh JT, Sibbald RG, Wakeford R. The use of portfolios for assessment of the competence and performance of doctors in practice. Med Educ, 2002;36:918–24.

9. Pitts J, Coles C, Thomas P. Educational portfolios in the assessment of general practice trainers: reliabil-ity of assessors. Med Educ, 1999;33:515-20.

10. Miller GE. The assessment of clinical skills/ compe-tence/ performance. Acad Med, 1990;65:s63-7.

11. Driessen EW, Van Tartwijk J, Govaerts M, Teunissen P, Van Der Vleuten CPM. The use of programmatic assessment in the clinical workplace: A Maastricht case report. Med Teach, 2012;34:226-231.

12. Buckley S. Coleman J, Davison I, Khan KH, Zamora J, Malick S, Morley D, Pollard D, Ashcroft D, Popovic C, Sayers J. The educational effects of portfolios on undergraduate student learning: A Best Evidence Medical Education (BEME) systematic review. BEME Guide No. 11. Med Teach, 2009;31:282–298

13. Friedman M, Davis MH, Harden EM, Howie PW, Ker J, Pippard MJ. AMEE Medical Education Guide No. 24: Portfolio as a method of student assessment. Med Teach, 2001;23:535-51.

14. Pitts J, Coles C, Thomas P, Smith F. Enhancing reli-ability in portfolio assessment: discussions between assessors. Med Teach, 2002;24:197-201.

Portfolios...Contd. from page 6


10

Dr. Uditha Bulugahapitiya (MBBS, MD, MRCP)1 ,

Dr. Nayananjani Karunasena (MBBS, MD)2

1Consultant Endocrinologist, 2Senior Registrar,Colombo South Teaching Hospital

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the commonest cause of hypercalcaemia in ambulatory patients. It is more common after 50 years and women are

twice likely to be affected than men. Parathyroid hormone which is an 84 amino acid protein is synthesized by chief cells in parathyroid gland which is regulated by the serum ionized calcium level through the calcium sensing recep-tor.

In about 85% of cases, primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by a solitary adenoma and multiglandular hyper-plasia accounts for about 15%. Parathyroid carcinoma is rare and accounts for less than 1% of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Adenomas may occur in ectopic locations in about 16%, which may be found on thymus, trachea-oesophageal groove, mediastinum or thyroid.

Majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroid-ism are asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients commonly present with nephrolithiasis or fragility fractures and may have low bone mineral density especially in areas rich with cortical bones. Osteitis fibrosa cystica is an uncom-mon but classic presentation of primary hyperparathyroid-ism. Rare presentations of primary hyperparathyroidism include insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and pancreatitis.

Morbidity and mortality due to primary hyperparathyroid-ism are related to severe hypercalcaemia causing, brady-cardia, heart block, dehydration, pancreatitis, fracture and

deformities.

In primary hyperparathyroidism, serum calcium is elevated and PTH also elevated or non-suppressed despite elevated calcium. Serum phosphate may be low or low normal. Renal functions should be done to exclude chronic kidney disease causing secondary hyperpara-thyroidism. If PTH level is suppressed in the presence of hypercalcaemia, further investigations should be done to exclude non PTH mediated hypercalcaemia. A urinary calcium to creatinine ratio <0.01 suggest the diagnosis of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia.

High resolution ultrasound scan, contrast CT, MRI and sestamibi scan with or without SPECT are pre-operative imaging modalities which are used to localize adenomas and guide the surgical approach.

Positivity of multiple imaging modalities has higher sen-sitivity as single focus positive imaging does not exclude multiple adenomas or hyperplasia.

Surgery is the definitive treatment for symptomatic patients and selected patients with asymptomatic hyper-parathyroidism. In experienced hands, it has a cure rate of around 95% which leads to improvement of BMD and reduced incidence of recurrent renal stones.

Medical management is appropriate for those who do not meet the criteria for surgery and those who are unwill-ing for surgery. Bisphosphonates, oestrogens, raloxifen and cinacalcet are used in the medical management of primary hyperparathyroidism.

This is a summary of the review lecture conducted during the SLMA monthly clinical lecture series on 15th January 2013.

Challenges and pitfalls in management of hyperparathyroidism

The SLMA President and Secretary held a meeting with the Chairpersons and Convenors of SLMA Committees on 26th February 2013 to share the work done by the Committees over the past year and their plans for the future.

Meeting with Chairpersons and Secretaries/ Convenors of the SLMA Committees


12

Computer ergonomics is becoming a major area in promoting health in

the modern working popula-tion. Incompatible physical work space arrangements and behavior patterns have led to multitude of negative health consequences. Many feasible solutions are available to miti-gate such health concerns.

The SLMA Expert Commit-tee on Ergonomics (ECE) con-ducted an awareness work-shop on computer ergonomics for information technology (IT) workforce at the Ceylon Pe-troleum Corporation (CPC) on the 10th January 2013. Three resource persons conducted this workshop. Dr. Chamaine De Silva explained the objec-tives of the workshop while Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, Consultant Community Physician, described the science of ergonomics and the implications of the discipline to the various work categories.

Participants shared their views

and concerns with resource persons following presentations. Human resource manager of CPC and the head of the IT unit also contributed to the discussion. The feedback received from nearly 25 participants was excellent.

This workshop was organized by

Dr. Chamaine De Silva, the convener of SLMA-ECE jointly with Dr. Luxmi Dharmawardane, the Medical Officer, CPC.

The SLMA-ECE plans to conduct similar workshops at Unilever and again at CPC targeting other catego-ries of working population.

A workshop on computer ergonomics

Dr. Nishan Siriwardane, Bio-informatic specialist, briefed on computer ergonomics and elaborated on “Stretch Break” -a computer software to promote ergonomic behaviours while working with computers.

Dr. Nimal Lucas, a former Captain of the Sri Lanka

National Table Tennis team from 1966 to 1971, won three gold medals and four silver medals in Table Tennis at the New Zealand Masters Games held in Wanganui, New

Zealand from 4th to 10th February 2013. He won gold medals in the over 70 men’s singles, over 70 men’s doubles and over 65 men’s doubles events. He won silver medals in the over 55 team event, over 45 team event, over 70 mixed doubles and

over 55 men’s singles. Dr. Lucas, being the sole Sri Lankan participant, partnered New Zealand players in the doubles and team events.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Lu-cas who is a life member of SLMA.

Dr. Nimal Lucas wins seven medals at New Zealand Masters Games


13

This effort on the part of the Sri Lanka Medical Association

(SLMA), in producing this booklet, was the aftermath of a suggestion made by a lay speaker at the World Down Syndrome Day Commemoration event of the SLMA in 2012. The speaker, who has a child with this condition, graphi-cally described the trials and tribulations that they had to go through as a re-sult of not being provided adequate and up-to-date information by doctors. I was the Chairman of that Symposium and I gave him an assurance that we will try and formulate some guidelines on communicat-ing sensitive information by healthcare workers

into a manuscript by the SLMA. This booklet is the fulfilment of that promise.

Satisfactory communica-tion with patients and their relatives together with refined skills in conveying information is an extreme-ly important attribute of a healthcare worker. This is particularly crucial when one has to convey infor-mation of a rather sensi-tive nature. Patients and their loved ones have a right to obtain information in a human and humane way. Besides, it is also a sacrosanct duty of all health professionals to provide such information. Such ventures would be of enormous mutual benefit.

In such a scenario, this booklet attempts to pro-

vide some basic guidelines on conveying essential and sensitive informa-tion to patients and their relatives. We hope that it would make easy read-ing and help the reader to fine-tune his or her com-munication skills.

This booklet includes eight chapters ranging

from “A communication protocol”, “Ethics of shar-ing significant informa-tion”, Breaking significant medical news – A Patient’s perspective”, “Commu-nicating sensitive infor-mation – Some practical issues”, “Diagnosis and prognosis”, “At the time of discharge from the ward” and “Specific conditions”.

Dr. B.J.C.PereraPresident, SLMA

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON THE BOOKLET“A SYNOPSIS OF GUIDELINES ON SHARING SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS”

This book could be accessed via "http://issuu.com/slmanews/docs/guidelines_on_sharing_information_in_healthcare"

All the cough syrups contain-ing dextromethorphan have been temporarily banned

for sale in Sri Lanka with effect from 23rd February 2013 by the Cosmetic Devices and Drug Regulatory Au-thority (CDDRA), Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. This ban was introduced in response to an alert by WHO following reported death of 60 per-sons in Pakistan following alleged

consumption of cough syrups with Dextromethorphan as the principal active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Further investigations revealed that reporting of unusually higher number of adverse events following the use of API produced by Kon-duskar Laboratories Private Limited (KLPL), Kolhapur, India. Laboratory

analysis revealed contamination with Levomethorphan which is a potent opioid analgesic controlled under Schedule 1 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. The CDDRA has requested the pharmaceutical suppliers to submit the certificates ensuring the ingredi-ents and a claim that API from KLPL is not included.

Temporary ban on cough syrups containing Dextromethorphan

Further details could be obtained from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/drugalerts/Final_Alert_126_Information_on_Dextromethorphan.pdf

14 15

February, 2013 SLMANEWS February, 2013

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

DISABILITIES

ERGONOMICS

ETHICS REVIEW

Dr. Lalith WijeyaratneMBBS, MD, FRCPConsultant RheumatologistNational Hospital of Sri Lanka

ChairpersonDr. Harsha GunasekaraMBBS, MD, FRCPConsultant NeurologistSri Jayawardenepura General Hospital

Secretary

Dr. Kapila JayaratneMBBS, DCH, MSc, MD Consultant Community Physician; National Programme Manager - Maternal & Child Morbidity & Mortality Surveillance, Ministry of Health

ChairpersonDr. Chamaine de Silva MBBS (Colombo) Medical Officer - Health InformaticsOffice of Deputy Director General (Public Health Services II)Ministry of Health

Secretary

Prof. Anoja FernandoMBBS, BA, FRCP Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna. Chairperson, Bioethics Sub-committee, National Committee for Ethics of Science & Technology, President, Asian Bioethics Association

ChairpersonDr. Chandanie Wanigatunge MBBS (NCMC) MD(Col) FCCP Consultant Physician & Clinical Pharmacologist Senior Lecturer & Head,Department of PharmacologyFaculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura

Secretary

Prof. Jennifer PereraMBBS(Col), MD Microbiology (Col), Dip-Women’s Studies (Col), DipMedEd(Dundee)Senior Professor & Head of DepartmentDepartment of MicrobiologyFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. Ranjith PereraBVSc(Cey), Dip.Med. Microbiology(C’bo), M.Phil.(C’bo)Senior Lecturer & Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology,Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Secretary

Dr. Malik FernandoMB, ChB (Bristol)Retired Medical Practitioner

ChairpersonProf. Chrishantha AbeysenaMBBS, M.Sc, MD , PgDip.Stat, BA Christian Studies, MA Buddhist Studies, MA International Relations Professor in Public Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine,University of Kelaniya, Ragama

Secretary

ETHICS

Prof. Saroj JayasingheMBBS, MD, FRCP, FCCP, MD (Bristol)Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. Pubudu de Silva MBBS (University of Colombo)MSc IT (University of Colombo School of Computing) MSc Community Medicine (University of Colombo)MD Community Medicine (University of Colombo)

Secretary

HEALTH EQUITY

MEDICAL EDUCATION

NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Dr. Narada WarnasuriyaMBBS, FRCP, DCHFormer Vice Chancellor and Professor of PaediatricsFaculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura

ChairpersonDr. Indika KarunathilakeMBBS, DMedEd, MMEdEd Senior Lecturer in Medical Education and Director, Medical Education Development & Research Centre (MEDARC)Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Secretary

Dr Jayanthimala JayawardenaMBBS, MDConsultant Cardiologist, NATIONAL HOSPITAL SRI LANKA

ChairpersonDr Shiromi MaduwageMBBS, MSc, MD (Community Medicine)Consultant Community Physician, Youth, Elderly, Disabled Unit, Ministry of Health

Secretary

Prof. Samath D. Dharmaratne MBBS, MSc, MDConsultant Community Physician; Associate Professor and Head, Department of Com-munity Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya

ChairpersonDr W M A U JayatillekeMBBS(Peradeniya), MBA(Peradeniya), MHSc(Tokyo), PhD(Tokyo)Senior Lecturer, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Colombo

Secretary

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

HERBAL MEDICINE

Dr. Palitha AbeykoonMD, MMed Chairman, AIDS Foundation of SRI LANKA, Advisor, World Health Organisation, South East Asia Regional Officer (SEARO), Senior Advisor, Ministry of Health

ChairpersonDr. Ruvaiz Haniffa MBBS, MSc, DFM, MDLecturer in Family Medicine, Family Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Secretary

Prof. S. P. LamabadusuriyaMBBS, PhD, DSc, MBEEmeritus Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine,University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. B. P. Galhena,BDS, MPhil, PhD.Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry,Faculty of Medicine,University of Kelaniya

Secretary

Prof. Gita FernandoMBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Lond), FCCPFounder Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura

ChairpersonDr. Chandanie Wanigatunge MBBBS (NCMC) MD(Col) FCCP Consultant Physician & Clinical Pharma-cologist Senior Lecturer & HeadDepartment of PharmacologyFaculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura

Secretary

MEDICINAL DRUGS

RESEARCH PROMOTION

SNAKE BITE

Dr. Asela M. OlupeliyawaMBBS (Colombo), PGCertMedEd (Dundee), PhD (UNSW)Lecturer in Medical EducationMedical Education Development And Re-search Centre Faculty of Medicine University of Colombo

SecretaryProf. M.I.M. IsmailMBBS(Cey), DTM&H (Cey), MD (Col), PhD (McGill), FNASSLEmeritus Professor of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Chairperson

Prof. S. A. M. KularathneMBBS, MD, MRCP(UK), FRCP(London), FCCP(SL) Professor in Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Peradeniya

ChairpersonDr. Malik FernandoMB, ChB (Bristol)Retired Medical Practitioner

Secretary

Prof. Colvin GoonaratnaFRCP(Lond), FRCP (EDIN), PhD (Dundee), FCCP (S.L), Hon FCGP (S.L), Hon FCSFNASSLEmeritus Professor of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. Udaya RanawakaMBBS(NCMC), MD(C’bo), MRCP(UK)Senior Lecturer, Department of MedicineFaculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Secretary

Dr. Narada WarnasuriyaMBBS, FRCP ,DCHFormer Vice Chancellor and Professor of PaediatricsFaculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura

ChairpersonDr. Manoj FernandoMBBS LecturerDepartment of Health Promotion,Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata Uni-versity of Sri Lanka, Mihintale

Secretary

TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND ILLICIT DRUGS

Dr Sunil Seneviratne Epa MDConsultant PhysicianMatara Nursing HomeMatara

ChairpersonDr. V Murali MBBS, MSc, MDConsultant Community Physician, Management, Development and Planning Unit, Ministry of Health

Secretary

Dr. Nalika GunawardenaMBBS (Colombo) MSc (Community Medicine)MD (Community Medicine) MPH (Bio Security) Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. P. PrathapanMBBS (SL), MSc (Col), MD(Community Medicine)Senior Lecturer, Department of Community MedicineFaculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayawardenepura

Secretary

WOMEN'S HEALTH

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CHAIRPERSONS AND SECRETARIES OF SLMA COMMITTEES

PREVENTION OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

SRI LANKA CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY

14 15

February, 2013 SLMANEWS February, 2013

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

DISABILITIES

ERGONOMICS

ETHICS REVIEW

Dr. Lalith WijeyaratneMBBS, MD, FRCPConsultant RheumatologistNational Hospital of Sri Lanka

ChairpersonDr. Harsha GunasekaraMBBS, MD, FRCPConsultant NeurologistSri Jayawardenepura General Hospital

Secretary

Dr. Kapila JayaratneMBBS, DCH, MSc, MD Consultant Community Physician; National Programme Manager - Maternal & Child Morbidity & Mortality Surveillance, Ministry of Health

ChairpersonDr. Chamaine de Silva MBBS (Colombo) Medical Officer - Health InformaticsOffice of Deputy Director General (Public Health Services II)Ministry of Health

Secretary

Prof. Anoja FernandoMBBS, BA, FRCP Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna. Chairperson, Bioethics Sub-committee, National Committee for Ethics of Science & Technology, President, Asian Bioethics Association

ChairpersonDr. Chandanie Wanigatunge MBBS (NCMC) MD(Col) FCCP Consultant Physician & Clinical Pharmacologist Senior Lecturer & Head,Department of PharmacologyFaculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura

Secretary

Prof. Jennifer PereraMBBS(Col), MD Microbiology (Col), Dip-Women’s Studies (Col), DipMedEd(Dundee)Senior Professor & Head of DepartmentDepartment of MicrobiologyFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. Ranjith PereraBVSc(Cey), Dip.Med. Microbiology(C’bo), M.Phil.(C’bo)Senior Lecturer & Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology,Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Secretary

Dr. Malik FernandoMB, ChB (Bristol)Retired Medical Practitioner

ChairpersonProf. Chrishantha AbeysenaMBBS, M.Sc, MD , PgDip.Stat, BA Christian Studies, MA Buddhist Studies, MA International Relations Professor in Public Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine,University of Kelaniya, Ragama

Secretary

ETHICS

Prof. Saroj JayasingheMBBS, MD, FRCP, FCCP, MD (Bristol)Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. Pubudu de Silva MBBS (University of Colombo)MSc IT (University of Colombo School of Computing) MSc Community Medicine (University of Colombo)MD Community Medicine (University of Colombo)

Secretary

HEALTH EQUITY

MEDICAL EDUCATION

NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Dr. Narada WarnasuriyaMBBS, FRCP, DCHFormer Vice Chancellor and Professor of PaediatricsFaculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura

ChairpersonDr. Indika KarunathilakeMBBS, DMedEd, MMEdEd Senior Lecturer in Medical Education and Director, Medical Education Development & Research Centre (MEDARC)Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Secretary

Dr Jayanthimala JayawardenaMBBS, MDConsultant Cardiologist, NATIONAL HOSPITAL SRI LANKA

ChairpersonDr Shiromi MaduwageMBBS, MSc, MD (Community Medicine)Consultant Community Physician, Youth, Elderly, Disabled Unit, Ministry of Health

Secretary

Prof. Samath D. Dharmaratne MBBS, MSc, MDConsultant Community Physician; Associate Professor and Head, Department of Com-munity Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya

ChairpersonDr W M A U JayatillekeMBBS(Peradeniya), MBA(Peradeniya), MHSc(Tokyo), PhD(Tokyo)Senior Lecturer, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Colombo

Secretary

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

HERBAL MEDICINE

Dr. Palitha AbeykoonMD, MMed Chairman, AIDS Foundation of SRI LANKA, Advisor, World Health Organisation, South East Asia Regional Officer (SEARO), Senior Advisor, Ministry of Health

ChairpersonDr. Ruvaiz Haniffa MBBS, MSc, DFM, MDLecturer in Family Medicine, Family Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Secretary

Prof. S. P. LamabadusuriyaMBBS, PhD, DSc, MBEEmeritus Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine,University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. B. P. Galhena,BDS, MPhil, PhD.Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry,Faculty of Medicine,University of Kelaniya

Secretary

Prof. Gita FernandoMBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Lond), FCCPFounder Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura

ChairpersonDr. Chandanie Wanigatunge MBBBS (NCMC) MD(Col) FCCP Consultant Physician & Clinical Pharma-cologist Senior Lecturer & HeadDepartment of PharmacologyFaculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura

Secretary

MEDICINAL DRUGS

RESEARCH PROMOTION

SNAKE BITE

Dr. Asela M. OlupeliyawaMBBS (Colombo), PGCertMedEd (Dundee), PhD (UNSW)Lecturer in Medical EducationMedical Education Development And Re-search Centre Faculty of Medicine University of Colombo

SecretaryProf. M.I.M. IsmailMBBS(Cey), DTM&H (Cey), MD (Col), PhD (McGill), FNASSLEmeritus Professor of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Chairperson

Prof. S. A. M. KularathneMBBS, MD, MRCP(UK), FRCP(London), FCCP(SL) Professor in Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Peradeniya

ChairpersonDr. Malik FernandoMB, ChB (Bristol)Retired Medical Practitioner

Secretary

Prof. Colvin GoonaratnaFRCP(Lond), FRCP (EDIN), PhD (Dundee), FCCP (S.L), Hon FCGP (S.L), Hon FCSFNASSLEmeritus Professor of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. Udaya RanawakaMBBS(NCMC), MD(C’bo), MRCP(UK)Senior Lecturer, Department of MedicineFaculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Secretary

Dr. Narada WarnasuriyaMBBS, FRCP ,DCHFormer Vice Chancellor and Professor of PaediatricsFaculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura

ChairpersonDr. Manoj FernandoMBBS LecturerDepartment of Health Promotion,Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata Uni-versity of Sri Lanka, Mihintale

Secretary

TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND ILLICIT DRUGS

Dr Sunil Seneviratne Epa MDConsultant PhysicianMatara Nursing HomeMatara

ChairpersonDr. V Murali MBBS, MSc, MDConsultant Community Physician, Management, Development and Planning Unit, Ministry of Health

Secretary

Dr. Nalika GunawardenaMBBS (Colombo) MSc (Community Medicine)MD (Community Medicine) MPH (Bio Security) Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

ChairpersonDr. P. PrathapanMBBS (SL), MSc (Col), MD(Community Medicine)Senior Lecturer, Department of Community MedicineFaculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of Sri Jayawardenepura

Secretary

WOMEN'S HEALTH

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CHAIRPERSONS AND SECRETARIES OF SLMA COMMITTEES

PREVENTION OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

SRI LANKA CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY


16

E M Wijerama Endowment Lecture 2010Vidyajyothi Prof. Colvin Goonaratna

MBBS, FRCP (Lond), FRCP (Edin), FCCP, PhD (Dundee), FNAS, Hon DSc (Colombo), Hony Fellow of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka; Hony Fellow of the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka

Good evening everyone.

Chief Guest, Dr. Rustom Mehta, Resident Repre-sentative, WHO, Dr. S Raviraj, President of the Jaffna Medical Association, Dr. Narada Warnasuriya, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Past presidents and council members of these two prestigious associations, colleagues, friends, and distinguished invitees.

It is a matter of exquisite pleasure and modest pride for me to stand before you today, to deliver the Sri Lanka Medical Asso-ciation’s E M Wijerama Endowment Lecture for 2010, at the invitation of the Council of the SLMA. I had to decline a similar invitation from a previous President of the SLMA to give this lecture, for rea-sons that are not of general interest now.

My pleasure to deliver the Wijerama Lecture this year is occasioned by two circumstances that have serendipitously come together. The first is that this Lecture is being de-livered in Jaffna, a part of

Sri Lanka that I love very much. More about that in a little while. and this is the very first time that the SLMA and JMA are having a joint scientific session, and the very first time that the Wijerama Lecture is being delivered in Jaffna. Together we are making history here today, ladies and gentlemen, and I like to think that I am part of it, albeit a very tiny one.

The second reason for my elation is that Dr. Narada Warnasuriya con-veyed the SLMA Council’s invitation to me. He has been, and continues to be one of my few role models, even though he is much younger than me. The fact that he communicated the invitation, persuaded me to accept it. I thank you Narada, for your generous comments about me in your introduction.

The Wijerama Endow-ment Lecture is one of the occasions we have to remember the late Dr. Wi-jerama and his awesome contributions to medicine and the medical profession in our country.

Edmund Medonza Wijerama, whose photo-graph you see here, was born on 6 August 1896 in Kosgoda on the southern coast of Ceylon, and had his school education at Ra-japakse College and Royal College, Colombo. His fa-ther was a much esteemed Ayurvedic physician, but the son decided to enter the Ceylon Medical Col-lege in 1916. He qualified

L.M.S in 1922, and held various appointments in the state medical system be-fore proceeding to the UK, for postgraduate studies at the University College Hos-pital and Medical School in London, where I too did my postgraduate training in 1971-73. Here he was a contemporary of Dr. Max Rosenheim, later to be, successively, Professor Max Rosenheim, Professor of Medicine at that medical school, then Sir Max, Presi-dent of the Royal College of Physicians of London, and still later Lord Rosen-heim, ambassador at large for British medicine world-wide (but especially in the British Commonwealth of Nations). He was a con-firmed Ceylonophile, who genuinely admired Ceylon, its people, and its doctors. Dr. Wijerama became his lifelong friend, a friendship that ended only with the death of Lord Rosenheim in 1972.

It has been my great good fortune to have had profes-sional contact with both

Dr. Wijerama and Lord Rosenheim, and listened to several lectures by both these distinguished medi-cal professionals. I had also a personal associa-tion with Lord Rosenheim, but more about that in due course.

Dr. Wijerama had ob-tained the MD and MRCP (London) by then, and in 1935, was appointed Physician at the General Hospital, Colombo. Dr. Wijerama, by all accounts, has been a fine clinician, a keen teacher, and a prolific author of medical articles, And he had a lucrative private practice. Yet he found time for research, and to play an important leadership role in medical professional and social affairs. He held the key posts of Honorary Secre-tary to the CMA, and editor of the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medi-cal Association, and was elected President of the CMA in 1947.

Contd. on page 18


18

Dr. Wijerama was elected Founder President of the Ceylon College of Physi-cians, and in 1971 its first Honorary Fellow.

Dr. Wijerama and his wife Adeline Rajapakse donat-ed to the Ceylon Medical Association, by a deed of gift dated 24 July 1964 the imposing and elegant house and garden at No. 6 McCarthy Road, Colombo 7, where they had lived, and where Dr. Wijerama had practiced for many years,. Their donation was both unostentatious and graceful. The Council minutes dated 5 February 1957 records,

“At this stage, Dr. E M Wijerama inquired from the Council whether the Council would accept the donation of a building with spare land at No. 6 Mc-Carthy Road, Colombo”.

(CMA Council Meeting. Minutes dated 5 Feb 1957).

The property alone, located at No. 6 Wijerama Mawatha – an entirely fit-ting change of name from McCarthy Road, I may add – is now worth over 150 million Rupees at a conservative estimation. It is the most munificent single donation the SLMA will ever receive from a private citizen or associa-tion. But monetary value is not everything. Let me close this eulogy of Dr. Wijerama, ladies and gentlemen, by recalling the eloquent citation that Dr. W D Ratnavale, himself a former SLMA President,

gave on the occasion that Dr. Wijerama received his Honorary Fellowship of the Ceylon College of Physi-cians in November 1971.

“Dr. Wijerama, Sir, is one of the most distin-guished, if not the most distinguished, medical personality in this coun-try. In addition to his splendid professional attributes, the Ceylon Medical Association is his foster child. He has taken (it) under his wing, nurtured it, and given it a home. He has been its Treasurer, Secretary, Editor, continuous Coun-cil Member, President, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Sir, not in a man’s learning, nor his achievements, lies man’s true worth, but in his dealings with his fellow men”.

(Dr. W D Ratnavale, Consultant Pathologist, and Past President SLMA in 1970. Transactions of the Ceylon College of Physi-cians 1971; 5: 59-60).

Now, about Jaffna. The Jaffna Peninsula has been one of my favourite desti-nations since my schoolboy days, when my maternal uncle, the late Mr. K P W Fernando was a senior Customs official stationed at Karianagar. With my many male and female cousins I bathed in the sea, often in our birthday suits, roamed all over the penin-sula on bicycles, and vis-ited all the famous places

such as Keerimalai, Nallur Temple, Elephant Pass, Fort Hammenheil, Casua-rina Beach, and Nagadipa.

Throughout my youth-ful doctor days and until 1983, my wife Priscilla and I enjoyed all our annual holidays in Jaffna, in the company of my best friend, the late Mr. Sunderam Siv-alingam, who was then a senior managerial execu-tive in the Cement Cor-poration, his wife Devika, and their lovely daughters Thanuja and Darshi.

He left Sri Lanka with his family in the aftermath of the vicious and senseless violence launched against unarmed and defenceless Tamil people in July 1983, that resulted in the brutal killing of several hundred Tamils, and wanton de-struction and looting of their property. To our eter-

nal shame, this holocaust was sanctioned, by the very highest authority in Sri Lanka. I say this with full responsibility based on un-impeachable evidence. It was led by one of his most senior Cabinet Ministers, and carried out by UNP-backed criminal goons. The Police looked on, sometimes with smiles on their faces, as these brutali-ties were perpetrated.

Siva settled down in Mel-bourne, Australia, where he did very well for himself and his family, and died recently of cancer. I used to be enchanted by the idyllic and largely pastoral beauty of the landscape of the peninsula, and the friendliness of its people – memories of long ago, that continue to visit my dreams.

E M Wijerama...Contd. from page 16

Contd. on page 23

Dr. E.M. Wijerama (1896 - 1980)

21

Advert

icemen

t


20

Contd. on page 23

Adisham is a beautifully preserved bungalow of the 1930s, built during the British

rule of Sri Lanka. That was the time that the world was told that ‘The sun never set on the British Empire’. This was long before the equally ridiculous claim of the Nazis of ‘A Thousand year Reich’. ‘Preparations for the con-struction of this dream house began in 1929. Sir Thomas Lister chose a far away location, a very peaceful site at Haputale, which is 5000 feet above mean sea level. Adisham Bungalow was built according to the Tudor style, and in the pattern of the Leeds Castle in Kent’. Click on the web-links below to see more details of its construction and use.

http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/1/23654_space.html

http://www.visitslpc.com/city-a-regions/haputhale/adisham-bunga-low.html

Days open to the public and the cost of one day’s stay.

The place is open for non residen-tial visitors from 9 a.m – 4 p.m on Saturdays, Poya Days and School Holidays. The charge for staying in Adisham is around Rs.1000/- for a day, full board. The facility could provide accom-modation for up to 35 persons. Telephone contact No. 057-2268030.

For more details click on web-link below:-

http://www.lakdasun.org/forum/index.php?topic=361.msg1319#msg1319

Travelling from ColomboThe A4 highway from Colombo –

Haputale. 175 Kms, Estimated dura-tion of drive - Five hours

Haputhale to Adisham – Four Kms – Estimated duration of drive - 15 mins.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&z=13&q=Adisham+Bungalow%2C+Haputale%[email protected],80.931046

Places of rest on the way1.Paradise estate – ‘French Restaurant’

about a Kilometer past Kuruwita – 120 Kms from Colombo.

2.Belihul Oya Rest-house – 160Kms from Colombo.

The road from Colombo to Hputhale once you pass Kaluaggala, after you emerge from the Low-Level road (Orugodawaththe- Wellampitiya-Kaduwela-Hanwella) is super up to

Haputhale(175 Kms). After pass-ing Belihul Oya Rest-House at the 168/3 bridge you find the ‘Surathalee’ (meaning “female beloved” in Sinha-la) waterfall. It is visible from the road but a short walk on a footpath gives one a magnificent view of it.

You turn left at the Beragala junc-tion and climb up to Haputhale.

It is really a fantastic sight on this stretch of the road.

On a clear day you can see the wa-ter reservoirs of Udawalawe, Thana-malvila, Sooriyawewa and Chandri-kawewa with the distant blue horizon of the Indian Ocean.

A few hundred yards before the Haputhale town there is a road called Temple Road on the left exiting the highway at an acute angle.

DISCOVER SRI LANKAAdisham Bungalow, Haputale, Sri Lanka : A ‘one-day trip’ from Colombo.

The Belihul-Oya Rest house – Entrance and Veranda


21

8.30 am National anthem, lighting of the oil lamp

8.40 – 8.50 am Welcome address by President Hill Country Medical Society

Dr Shivantha Fernandopulle

8.50 - 9.00 am Address by President, SLMA Dr. B. J. C. Perera

9.00 – 9.30 am Quality and safety in healthcare

Dr. S. Sridharan – Director, Directorate of Health Care Quality and Safety,Ministry of Health

9.30 – 10.30 am SYMPOSIUM ON NUTRITION

Childhood nutrition

Prof. Pujitha Wickramasinghe – Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Nutrition assessment and supplementation of the Hospitalized patient

Dr. Angela de Silva – Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

10.30 -10.45 am TEA

10.45 – 11.15 am Management of the acutely wheezing child Dr. B. J. C. Perera – President, SLMA

11.15 – 11.45 am Wound care: General guidelines

Dr. Kamal Dunusinghe - Consultant Surgeon, Nuwara Eliya

11.45 -12.15 pm Non accidental injuries in children

Prof. Aswini D. Fernando – Professor, Dept. of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

12.15 – 12.45 pm Management of Burns – When to refer

Dr. Sathis Wijemanne- Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Colombo South Teaching Hospital

12.45 – 1.15 pm Strokes: Modern management strategies

Dr. Ajith Gurusinghe - Consultant Physician, Nuwara Eliya

1.15 -2.15 pm Electronic interactive session “Paediatric Emergencies”

Dr. Srilal de Silva – President, Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians

2.15 pm LUNCH

Parallel sessions on “Early identification of developmental delay in children” for paediatric team and “Work place safety” for non-technical healthcare staff with the courtesy of Unilever.

Transport will leave SLMA premises at 3.00 am on 19-03-2013 and will be back by 9.00 pm on the same day.

Those who are interested, please contact the SLMA office

Date : 19th March 2013 Time : 8.30 am – 2.15 pm Venue : Auditorium, Base Hospital Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka Medical Association Joint Clinical Meeting with the Hill Country Medical Society


22

Healthy schoolbag promoted at “Healthfest”

The College of Community Physicians Sri Lanka recently organized "Healthfest", a health carnival to promote healthy lifestyles to general public. The

President Mahinda Rajapaksha launched “Super 8” –eight healthy ways to extend the life expectation, at this health carnival.

One of the attractions of the "Healthfest" was the promotion of healthy schoolbag among public adopting creative and innovative approaches.

Two giant wonder clowns wearing ergonomically-de-signed healthy schoolbags were utilized to popularize the healthy bag and the healthy bag behavior among children, parents, teachers and general public.

Healthy features of the bag included; backpack model, two compartments, cushioned back wall, wide & cush-ioned shoulder straps with movable buckles, waist belt and the correct size.

Two wonder clowns were escorted by a group school children wearing the healthy schoolbag in the correct manner. Children flocked around the clowns with fun and at the same time they learnt about healthy schoolbag and the relevant behavior. A healthy schoolbag stall with model bags and a poster de-picting how to choose a healthy bag, instructions on healthy bag behaviour and negative effects of unhealthy bags was also in place.

The Healthy Schoolbag was also introduced to Mr. Maithripala Sirisena (Hon. Minister of Health), Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane (Hon. Minister of Agriculture), Mr. Lalith Dissanayake (Hon. Deputy Minister of Health), Dr. Nihal Jayathilake (Secretary of Health) and Dr. Sujatha Senarathne (Additional Sec-retary/ – Public Health, Ministry of Health). This was a major achievement in the advocacy for further expansion of the project.

The feedback received from children, teachers, general public, politicians, health administra-tors and professional colleagues were excellent. The SLMA Expert Committee on Ergonomics continuously focus on promoting ergonomics to medical community as well as to the general public.

Consultant Community Physician Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, Chair-person of the SLMA Expert Committee on Ergonomics and the co-ordinator of the healthy schoolbag campaign along with two public health officials, Mr. I. Liyanage and Mr. Nuwan Sameera explained and demonstrated features of healthy schoolbag to general public, children, parents and teachers.


23

I am revisiting the pen-insula now, after a long lapse of 27 years, with that inexplicable feeling in my heart of deep sadness mixed with a wholesome pleasure, considering the circumstances germane to this visit. I want to show you some slides I made of Jaffna, from water colour paintings by Vasantha Perera, because they capture the beauty of the landscape and Jaffna people, and their indomita-ble courage in the face of

adversity, deprivation and terrible maltreatment both by successive govern-ments and their putative Tamil saviours. Here are the pictures.

E M Wijerama...Contd. from page 18

(Will be continued in the next issue)

This passes the CTB Bus Depot. Take this road. About 2 Kms away is a turn off to the left leading to the Thangamalai sanctuary. You turn to this side road a few yards before the railway level crossing.

This last 1.2 Km is motor able but is a clay track. This road leads to Adisham. You have to stop at the gate and buy tickets, around Rs. 30/-

per person. It is a walk of about 300 yards from there to the Bungalow.

Once you are inside admire the beauty, serenity and silence of the

place. Study the exterior of the build-ing. Go inside and see what ‘gracious living’ was, around eighty years ago, in Ceylon. They sell jams and cordials

made from the estate at a display counter.

You could also pick up some post-card pictures and an audio CD about the history of the building. The best treat of all would be to sit in silence outside on the lawn and absorb the tranquility that Mother Nature provides in abundance here. The flowers, the cloud tipped mountains and valleys, and the profusion of a variety of birds from the ‘Thangama-lai Reserve’ bordering this site. You will long remember this place for its incomparable memories.

‘…..will flash upon your inward eye,

Which is the bliss of solitude’

William Wordsworth

All contents were provided and produced by Dr. Philip Veerasin-gam

This article is reproduced with permission from the author and the Editor of CoMSAA NEWS.

It was published in CoMSAA NEWS 2012;1(1):10-12

The ‘Surathalee’ waterfall

Two views on the road from Beragala to Haputale

Adisham Bungalow...Contd. from page 20


”

“ Asiri Heart Centre is committed to providing excellent patient care, efficiently

and at a reasonable cost. Asiri Heart Centre has become a leader in the treatment

and prevention of cardiac diseases. Our superior clinical outcomes are

accompanied by our outstanding service quality. This reflects the calibre of our

highly trained physicians, continuous training and improvement strategies, use of

latest technology, and adherence to evidence based cardiac care.

Our focus is on patient safety and quality first

Superior service at Asiri HeartNo. 21, Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo 05.

Tel : 011 4524400 / 011 2368407 / 011 2368408Fax : 011 4524451 / 011 4527311E-mail : [email protected] Web : www.asiri.lk

24

On the 26th of February 1887, Dr. W. R Kynsey (later Sir William Kynsey) spurred 15

men to meet in the Colonial Medical Library in Maradana Road, Colombo and resolved to establish in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) a Branch of the British Medical Association, which later be-

came the Sri Lanka Medical Associa-tion (SLMA).

An Annual History of Medicine Lecture is being organised to mark the anniversary of this meeting since 2012. This year former President of SLMA and past Editor, Ceylon Medi-

cal Journal Dr. Lakshman Ranasing-he MBBS, DCH (Lond), FRCP(Edin), FCCP, FCD(SL), FSLCPaed, FCGP(SL) delivered a lecture titled "Medicine in Lanka : A brief history of time”. This lecture was well attended and followed by cocktails and snacks.

ANNUAL HISTORY OF MEDICINE LECTURE 2013

”

“ Asiri Heart Centre is committed to providing excellent patient care, efficiently

and at a reasonable cost. Asiri Heart Centre has become a leader in the treatment

and prevention of cardiac diseases. Our superior clinical outcomes are

accompanied by our outstanding service quality. This reflects the calibre of our

highly trained physicians, continuous training and improvement strategies, use of

latest technology, and adherence to evidence based cardiac care.

Our focus is on patient safety and quality first

Superior service at Asiri HeartNo. 21, Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo 05.

Tel : 011 4524400 / 011 2368407 / 011 2368408Fax : 011 4524451 / 011 4527311E-mail : [email protected] Web : www.asiri.lk


Dr. Wilfred S. W. Perera Trust Fund

The Sri Lanka Medical Library is pleased to announce that Dr. Wilfred Perera has established a Trust Fund for the library. The interest of this very generous donation will be used to purchase the latest text books needed by post graduate trainees. Dr. Perera is the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Library from 1996 to date. He was also the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association in 1993.

The donation has been made to the library by Dr. Wil-fred S. E. Perera on 04th October 2012.

Donation of Books and Journals to the Sri Lanka Medical Library (SLML)

IntroductionEvery now and again doctors or their relatives and

friends or the public approach the SLML to donate books and journals. The library welcomes such donations. How-ever the SLML has an acute space problem which forces it to periodically discard books and journals. Because of this the SLML has decided to accept donations of books and journals only after an initial screening by members of the Management Committee.

The following procedure is recommended.1. Prospective donors are advised to contact the SLML in writing

(Sri Lanka Medical Library, 6, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07) or by telephone (2695188).The SLML staff will arrange the Secretary/Editor/Members of the Management Committee to liaise with the donor.

2. The process of donation will be made a lot easier if the donor can provide a list of books (name, author, edition, year of publi-cation etc) or journals (name, volume, year etc).

3. The Library Committee members may decide to visit the loca-tion of the books by prior arrangement in order to ascertain whether these books or journals are of use to its membership.

4. After such an inspection (or gathering of information) the SLML will decide to accept the donation in whole, in part or not to accept it at all.

5. Donors are advised not to dump books or journals in the SLML premises without prior arrangement.

6. To some extent the procedure followed by the SLML is going to be influenced by the size of the donation (eg. a donation of 4 to 5 books vs a donation exceeding 150 to 200 books). Hence liaison with the SLML before bringing them over is a must.

Management Committee,Sri Lanka Medical Library

Sri Lanka Medical Library

Encourage your colleagues to join SLMAMembership categories and subscription

Life membership – Rs. 10, 000

Ordinary membership – Rs. 2, 500 (valid for one year)

Overseas Life Membership - USD 250/- (for those residing overseas)

Membership application could be obtained from

http://www.slmaonline.info/index.php/membership.html

Call for application for awards

Applications are called for CNAPT Award and GR Handy Award.

For further details : SLMA News January 2013 issue

Closing date for submission : 15th March 2013.

26


27

Child asthma hospital admis-sions fell after smoking ban. Admissions fell by 12.3% in

first year and more than 3% in each of the following two years, according to analysis of NHS figures

The number of children admitted to hospital after serious asthma at-tacks has fallen steeply in England since smoking was banned in public places such as bars, restaurants and offices. Hospitals recorded 6,802 fewer cases of childhood asthma in the first three years of the ban, which was introduced in England in July 2007, according to NHS figures.

Researchers said the fall came as more people imposed smoke-free homes in the wake of the legislation.

Before the change in law, hospital admissions for the condition were rising 2.2% year on year. In the first year after the ban admissions fell by 12.3%, and there were further falls of more than 3% in each of the following two years.

A previous study showed a similar fall in Scotland where the ban was brought in a year earlier.The findings allay concerns voiced before the change in the law that a wide-ranging ban in public places might drive up smoking in the home, where children are vul-nerable to secondhand smoke.

The fumes from smoking can exacerbate asthma by inflam-ing the airways, and can trig-ger the condition in susceptible children. Asthma affects one in 11 children in the UK.

“The smoking ban has been an unqualified public health success. There is a whole

array of benefits,” said Christopher Millett, of Imperial College in London, whose study on the NHS figures appeared in the Pediatrics journal. Millett drew on NHS figures known as hospital episodes statistics from April 2002 to November 2010. The reduc-tions in childhood asthma admis-sions were similar for both boys and girls aged 14 and under, regardless of whether they came from poor or wealthy areas of cities or rural areas.

Emily Humphreys, head of policy and public affairs at Asthma UK, said: “It’s great to see growing evidence of the positive impact of smoke-free legislation. This is something we campaigned for, so it is particularly encouraging that there has been a fall in children’s hospital admissions for asthma since its introduction”.

“We have long known that smoking and secondhand smoke are harmful: they not only trigger asthma attacks

which put children in hospital but can even cause them to develop the condition. We’ve seen the benefits of reducing secondhand smoke expo-sure; now we need to do more to prevent children and young people from taking up smoking by introduc-ing plain packaging for tobacco.”

Studies have highlighted other health benefits as people have either cut down on smoking or inhaled less secondhand smoke. In 2010, re-searchers at Bath University reported a 2.4% fall in emergency admissions in England for heart attacks in the wake of the smoking ban. The fall equated to 1,200 fewer cases in the first year after the ban was intro-duced.

Impact of banning smoking in public places

Source :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/21/child-asthma-smoking-ban-study

Documents

SLMAnews-2013-02