THE OFFICIAL NEWS PAPER OF THE SRI LANKA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

February 2012, Volume 5, No 2 ISSN 1800 4016

SLMA Regional Conference in Jaffna

The Minister of Health, who was the chief guest at the Workshop on Health Challenges in Jaffna - the Way Forward addressing the gathering. From Left to Right: Dr. Lasantha Malavige (Secertary, SLMA); Dr. S. Raviraj (President, Jaffna Medical Association(JMA)); Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake (President, SLMA), Dr. S. Premakrishna (Secretary, JMA); Dr. Kapila Jayarathne, (Assistant Secretary, SLMA).

The First Regional Meeting of the Sri Lankan Medical Association was held from 27 to 29 January 2012 in Jaffna. This was a history conference as it was the first time the SLMA was holding a conference at regional level. Previously Sri Lanka Medical Association has held its Annual Scientific Sessions in Kandy in 1998, Foundation Sessions in Jaffna in 2009, and Foundation Sessions in Batticaloa in 2010. The conference in Jaffna was the first one with a regional flavour addressing the issues of the region and aimed at developing professional standards of doctors in the region and addressing health challenges in the region.

The programme of the SLMA Southern Regional Conference is Inside

NEWS

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Daily News Editorial on the SLMA Regional Conference in Jaffna

JAFFNA APPROPRIATELY HONOURED

The decision by the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) to launch its series of provincial-level medical conferences in Jaffna is both timely and far-seeing. At a time when the once war-ravaged Northern Province needs to be increasingly integrated into the mainstream of life and enabled to contribute its wealth of knowledge and wisdom to the common weal, this is indeed a praise-worthy decision. Jaffna was renowned for its medical knowledge over the decades and progressive sections of this country could be glad that moves are now being made to tap this vast store house of Northern expertise. For very understandable reasons this could not have been done to the fullest over the past 30 or more years but with stability having been established in the province, the way has been paved for continuous interaction between the regions of the land and we believe it will be in the national interest for cooperative links to be forged in every conceivable important field between the North and the rest of the country. The strengthening of links between the North and the rest of the country is part and parcel of the process of nation-building. One of the most distressing consequences of the Tigers' terror campaign was the distancing of the North, emotionally, from the rest of Sri Lanka. It also, of course, resulted in the material deprivation and the general retrogression of the province. This was of nearly 30 years' duration and it is now the state's obligation to ensure that the North is not only fully developed but that the region is completely integrated into the rest of the country. Accordingly, it is most heartening that the country's medical community is going more than the extra mile to strengthen ties between the medical professionals of the North and those of the rest of Sri Lanka through a sharing of knowledge and expertise in matters that touch deeply on the public interest. In other words, all sections of the polity are being encouraged into identifying with the national interest and are being made stakeholders in a stable and materially advanced Sri Lanka and this is certainly the way to go. These are important paths to nation-building which ought to be continually explored. It was only yesterday that we quoted External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris as saying that a sound start has been made to the implementation of the LLRC recommendations. The efforts made by professional bodies, such as the SLMA, to improve connectivity and collaboration in joint projects between the South and the North could be supportive of the LLRC's aims and lay the ground work for the steady implementation of the principal recommendations of the LLRC. We call on the other professional organizations of the land to emulate the SLMA. People-to-people

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contact is an important part of nation-building and there is no doubt that the numerous professional and civic organizations of the country could contribute greatly towards the noble cause of building a united Sri Lanka by helping to establish fraternal ties among our numerous population segments. The most important message the people of this country need to convey to each other is that they truly care for one another. This is the principal theme of post-conflict Sri Lanka. The state should lead from the front in this regard and one could be glad that the state is in the forefront of building these bridges of friendship among our communities. State agencies need to be forever active in the North and we are glad that this is happening. For instance, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena was at the inauguration of the SLMA conference in Jaffna. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has, of course, made it very plain that this land belongs to all its communities. While material empowerment is of principal importance to the North and East, a coming together of minds between the North and South is a sure way of deepening the links among our communities. Sharing knowledge and pursuing it together through joint research ventures in the health field could prove an important catalyst in forging a solid sense of unity among our people.

Workshopon Health Challanges in

Jaffna- the Way Forward:

Dr. S. Raviraj, President, JMA making a

point during the discussion time while

the Minister of Health, Hon

Maithreepala Sirisena looks on. The

Minister Promised to attend to the

health needs of the region. The SLMA is

in the process of preparing a

comprehensive report based on the

workshop and the conference. This will

be presented to the Minister shortly.

The Hon Minister of Health in friendly

conversation with health officials of the

Northern Province. In the picture are Dr.

Rathini Jude, Provincial Director of

Health Services, Northern Province; Dr.

T. Sathiyamoorthy, Medical

Superintendent, Vavuniya Base Hospital;

Dr. S. Jaykumar, Consultant Oncologist,

Teaching Hospital Jaffna; and Dr. S.

Premakrishnan, Consultant

Anaesthesiologist, Teaching Hospital

Jaffna.

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A GLIMPSE OF HOW THE SLMA WORKS

The First Council Meeting In January

The first Council Meeting of the SLMA is always a happy occation. The new members take

office and there are new faces all around. The Council Meeting begins with signing of the

national anthom, traditional lighting of the oil lamp, and the unvailing of a photograph of

the Immediate Past President. The fist Council meeting for 2012 was held on 6 January

2012. Hear are some pictures from the meeting.

The SLMA is the Association for All Doctors in Sri Lanka

Join the SLMA

SLMA Life Membership fee of Rs. 10,000/- can now be paid in 10 monthly

installements of Rs. 1,000/-, and can be deducted from the Salary if you are

employed by the Ministry of Health.

Visit http://www.slma.lk for membership information and to download

membership application forms.

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World Health Days World Health Days are days dedicated to commemorate, promote and mobilize for action in specific areas of Health. A List of upcoming World Health Days are given below. The SLMA plans to organise events to mark these days. information would be sent to you via the SLMA email group. Keep the days free and join the SLMA to mark World Health Days.

29th February Rare Disease Day 11th March Kidney Day 22nd March Water Day 23rd March Climate Day 24th March Tuberculosis day 2nd April Autism day 7th April Health Day 11th April Parkinson Disease day 22nd April Earth Day 24th April Meningitis Day 25th April Malaria Day 8th May International Asthma Day 8th May Thalassemia Day 10th May Lupus day 17th May Hypertension day 19th May Hepatitis day 22nd May Biodiversity day 25th May Thyroid Day 26th May Multiple Sclerosis Day 29th May Digestive Health Day 31st May No tobacco day 5th June Environment Day 8th June Brain Tumor day 14th June Blood Donor day 26th June International day against Drug abuse 27th June Diabetic Day 11th July Population Day 3rd Sep Day of the Disabled 10th Sep Suicide Prevention day 12th Sep First Aid Day 21st Sep Alzheimer’s day 27th Sep Heart Day 28th Sep Rabies Day 1st October Children’s day

2nd October MRSA day 6th October Habitat day 7th October Hospice and Palliative Care Day 10th October Mental Health Day 10th October International day of Natural Disaster Reduction 12th October Arthritis Day 15th October International White Cane day/ Global Hand Washing Day 16th October Food day 20th October Osteoporosis day 24th October Polio Day 29th October Stroke Day/ Psoriasis Day 2nd November Pneumonia day 14th November World Diabetes Day 18th November Day of remembrance of Road traffic victims 17th November Epilepsy day 18th November COPD day 19th November toilet Day 25th November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 1st December AIDS day 3rd December International day of persons with disabilities

JOIN THE SLMA EMAIL LIST Send a blank email from your email address to info-subscribe@slma.lk

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A group photograph of participants at the conference: It includes Dr Henry Wanga, Hon Secretary of Kenya

Medical Association (FR; 2nd

left); Dr Oheneba Owusu-Danso, General Secretary of CMA (FR, 5th

right); Prof

Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Keynote Speaker (FR, 4th

right); Dr K. Opoku-Adusei, CMA Vice-President, W. Africa

region (FR, 3rd

right); Dr Margaret Mungherera, CMA Treasurer (FR, Extreme right); Dr Norman Mabasa, CMA

Vice-President, ECSA region (MR, 2nd

right); Dr Gandhi, Treasurer, KMA (BR, 3rd

right); Prof Arulrhaj Nadar

Sundara, Immediate Past President, CMA (BR, 4th left)

Non Communicable Diseases – Profile and Impact in the Commonwealth

The text of the Keynote Address at the Inauguration of the Conference by Prof. Chandrika

Wijeyarathne in her capacity as the Chairperson, Non Communicable Diseases Committee of the Sri

Lanka Medical Association and the NIROGI Lanka Project.

Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am indeed greatly honoured and deeply humbled by your invitation for me to deliver the keynote

address at the opening ceremony of the international conference of the CMA this year. I bring warm

greetings to you from the Sri Lanka Medical Association, the oldest medical association in Asia and

Australasia, with a proud history of continued commitment to health care since 1837.

The theme of this meeting - Diabetes, Obesity

and Healthy Living – is most fitting, since it

captures the very essence of the huge health

problem at hand; the growing burden of

chronic Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

leading to major disability, chronic morbidity

and premature death. Worldwide more than

300 million people live with type 2 diabetes

and the majority of these people are from

low- and middle-income countries. In many of

these countries diabetes causes premature

death accounting for over four million deaths

each year. Furthermore, diabetes leads to

severe complications in the form of

cardiovascular disease, renal failure, blindness

and non traumatic lower limb amputations

that cause untold suffering. Additionally there

are less spoken of problems that impact on

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the quality of life of poorly controlled

diabetics, principally male sexual problems.

Gestational diabetes, a worsening problem, is

a manifestation of the inherent risks in our

communities that greatly impacts on their

pregnancy outcome coupled with a strong

inter-generational metabolic influence. An

alarming feature of recent trends in the

incidence of type 2 diabetes in South Asia is

its occurrence in young people, even as early

as the second decade of life. Interestingly

central obesity seems to be an important

determinant in these ethnic groups in

contrast to a lower body mass index than in

European populations.

Chronic NCDs such as coronary artery disease,

cerebrovascular disease, cancer and chronic

respiratory disease, including diabetes,

culminate in >80% of premature deaths

worldwide. The mortality having increased

exponentially, now contributes to more

deaths than the collation of all other causes of

death. Projections, based on current trends,

are that the burden of disease due to NCDs

will increase further if left unattended, with

the greatest increase affecting low and middle

income countries in every continent. This

problem places a huge burden on their health

care systems, some of which have scarce

resources to provide at primary care level a

sustainable quality care with affordable drugs

for chronic conditions. These issues also

impact severely on the productivity and socio-

economic development of member countries,

which in turn would prove to be a vicious

cycle on their economic sustenance. This

increasing trend requires to be effectively

contained through our collective action.

Although not included as a separate UN

millennium development goal (MDG), it is still

not too late for effective measures to be

taken to prevent and control NCDs through

global partnerships. This in turn would help

alleviate poverty and unify the attainment of

MDGs 1 and 8 – viz. the eradication of

extreme poverty and hunger and developing

global partnership. It is noteworthy that

current trends in NCDs having impacted on

women and children, which will no doubt

affect attainment of MDGs 4 and 5. An

unhealthy fetal environment with growth

retardation, paves the way for the offspring to

be at even greater risk of childhood obesity,

premature metabolic disease and

atherosclerosis. This no doubt will magnify

further the impact of NCDs on our future

societies and the attainment of freeing the

Commonwealth from extreme poverty and

multiple deprivations.

In order to achieve healthy and productive

communities, we need to appreciate the

common risk factors for NCDs viz. tobacco

and harmful consumption of alcohol, physical

inactivity, and an unhealthy diet high in salt,

sugar, starch and fats and low in fruits and

vegetables. Such unhealthy changes in human

behaviour in member countries with a rapid

increase in NCD risk factors are a result of the

brisk and unplanned urbanization, ageing

populations and the globalization of

marketing of unhealthy food and sugary

drinks, tobacco and alcohol. The lack of

adequate health care and social protection

systems to cope with the growing problem in

low income member countries aggravates the

problem. Minimizing the impact of diabetes

and cardiovascular risks is crucial. This could

be best achieved through a collective effort

that prioritizes due attention to NCDs, which

incorporates cost-effective and population

wide health-care interventions termed as

“best buys” in public health. We have in Sri

Lanka shown that it is possible to empower

communities from the deprived sectors of our

society by the initiative NIROGI Lanka project

of the Sri Lanka Medical Association in

conjunction with the Ministry of Health with

funding from WDF, although its cost

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effectiveness and sustainability requires more

careful evaluation over time. If confirmed

such measures will allow poorer - and indeed

richer - communities break new ground

through simple approaches.

The need of the hour is for us to minimize risk

factors, prioritize protecting our children and

youth, improve surveillance and monitor risk

factors, provide an effective multiple risk

factor approach in primary health care

through the availability of affordable generic

drugs and above all play a responsible role in

shielding our communities from unhealthy

marketing, through multi-sector affiliation. It

is heartening to note that the Commonwealth

Heads of Government meeting in Perth,

Australia held in October 2011 adopted the

‘CHOGM Declaration’ in which leaders

reiterated their commitment to accelerate the

implementation of the UN High-Level Meeting

on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and

the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco

Control. The leaders also, inter alia agreed to

commit for universal access to health care

and services and also to support access to

safe, affordable and quality medicines. To

achieve these goals, the Commonwealth

countries need to arrive at a consensus on

transfer of technology with greater flexibility

on intellectual property rights in early

detection and control of NCDs, particularly

cancer screening.

In conclusion, national medical associations of

the Commonwealth have a major role to play

towards achieving these goals by advocating

the adoption of sound policy with planners

and policy makers and by working towards a

more evidence based and cost effective

approach to health care delivery that targets

all sectors of society.

Communiqué issued by the Commonwealth Medical Association

at the end of the 3-Day conference on

Non-Communicable Diseases: Diabetes, Obesity, and Healthy Living

The Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), led by its General Secretary Dr. Oheneba

Owusu-Danso, has held a 3-day conference on non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) on December

15-17, 2011 at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference hosted by the Kenya

Medical Association had representations from 12 national medical association’s (NMAs) in the

commonwealth namely; Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malta, Rwanda, South Africa,

Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uganda. It was also attended by other stakeholders.

The Conference acknowledged the challenges faced by Commonwealth member states as a

result of Non-Communicable Disease’s NCDs. The four major NCD’s were noted as Diabetes Mellitus,

Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer and Chronic Respiratory Diseases.

Whereas the major presentations focused primarily on diabetes, the follow up workshop and

discussions centered also on important issues on Obesity, Physical inactivity, Nutrition and poor

eating habits, as well as Alcohol and Tobacco abuse.

In an address the general secretary of CMA, Dr Oheneba Owusu-Danso, called on doctors

and other professionals to develop strategies in leading their populations to adopt effective

solutions on such important global health issue as non-communicable diseases. He called on

professional organisations to be very much involved in the policy making processes and make crucial

input into the development agenda of their countries, the Commonwealth and the world at large. He

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paid glowing tribute to the major sponsors of the conference, the Commonwealth Secretariat and

Commonwealth Foundation as well as other sponsors from within Kenya namely Sanofi Aventis,

Sanofi Pasteur, Chase Bank, Crown Healthcare, Chem-Labs Ltd and Lords Healthcare.

The Kenyan Assistant Minister of Public Health and Sanitation, Hon Beth W Mugo MP who

opened the conference highlighted on the commonality and the gravity of the problem of NCD’s

amongst member commonwealth states. He stated that it was for this reason that commonwealth

states resolved at their 2011 meeting in Perth, Australia to focus more attention on NCD related

issues in their countries. He charged NMAs to collaborate effectively with their respective

governments in addressing the danger of NCDs.

In a keynote address by a renowned endocrinologist, Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne of Sri

Lanka, she emphasized that the growing epidemic of NCD’s requires the highest level of attention

with multi-sectoral participation, using cost effective public health interventions.

All speakers emphasized the major point from the Health Section of the Commonwealth

Secretariat, that the impact of NCD’s has been, until lately, overshadowed by the focus on

Communicable Diseases (CD’s). The burden of disease resulting from NCD’s is estimated to be

greater than the combined burden of HIV, TB and Malaria. It is projected, that by 2030, more than

476 million persons will be affected by NCD’s. Already, more than 60% of deaths in the

Commonwealth are as a result of NCD related illnesses. The impact of this on national economies, as

it relates to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s), can in no way be ignored. It is

therefore vitally important that both CD’s and NCD’s be given equal and priority attention in the

response to these threats.

On the foregoing, the following recommendations were made by the conference. That

the adage 'prevention is better than cure' must be given more practical meaning by focusing a

greater attention on healthy lifestyle practices. The conference called for a more effective shift

in national public health policies in the commonwealth to include appropriate nutrition, regular

physical activity, and control of tobacco and alcohol consumption.

the Commonwealth states should prioritize research and data collection in order to adhere to

evidence based solutions to the serious challenges which threatens the economic and health

systems due to non-communicable diseases.

all member states are encouraged to implement conventions and declarations agreed upon by

previous high level meetings including the World Health Organization, Commonwealth Heads of

Government Meeting, Commonwealth Minister’s Meeting and the United Nations General

Assembly, especially those to which they are signatories.

the National Medical Associations are charged to collaborate with Governments, policy makers

and other stakeholders to achieving these goals in their respective countries.

The conference pledged the commitment of the Commonwealth Medical Association in

building continuous capacity of the National Medical Associations in their pursuit of advocacy and

other relevant strategies in combating these health challenges towards achieving the Millennium

Development Goals.

DR OHENEBA OWUSU-DANSO

GENERAL SECRETARY, COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

DECEMBER 18, 2011, NAIROBI, KENYA

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Sri Lanka Medical Association

Southern Regional Conference - 23 & 24 February 2012

Light House Hotel, Galle

in Collaboration with the

Galle Medical Association

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Thursday, 23 February 2012 08.00 am Registration INAUGURATION 08.30 am Guests Take their Seats 08.45 am Arrival of the Chief Guest 09.00 am Traditional Lighting of the Oil Lamp 09.05 am Address by the President, Sri Lanka Medical Association

Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake 09.30 am Keynote Address by the Chief Guest Hon. Kumari Balasuriya, Governor, Southern Province

09.45 am Address by the Guest of Honour Dr. Vajira Lekamwasam, President, Galle Medical Association

10.00 am Award of the SLMA Research Award 2011 10.05 am Vote of thanks by the Secretary, Sri Lanka Medical Association

Dr. Lasantha Malavige 10.15 am Tea

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SYMPOSIUM ON HEALTH CHALLENGES IN THE SOUTH – THE WAY FORWARD Chairpersons: Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake (President, Sri Lanka Medical Association) Dr. Kapila Jayaratne (Assistant Secretary, Sri Lanka Medical Association) 10.30 am Challenges in the Galle District

Dr. Vajira Lekamwasam, President, Galle Medical Association 10.50 am Challenges in the Matara District Dr. Upul Rathnayake, Former Regional Epidemiologist, Matara 11.10 am Challenges faced by the Private Sector in the Southern Province Representative from the Hemas Group of Hospitals 11.30 am Challenges in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education in the Southern Province Prof. P. L. Ariyananda Former Dean and Senior Professor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna 11.50 am Panel discussion – the way forward 12.30 pm LUNCH SYMPOSIUM ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Chairpersons: Dr. BJC Perera (President Elect, Sri Lanka Medical Association) Dr. Upeksha Liyanage (Secretary, Galle Medical Association) 01.15 pm The Burden of Chronic NCDs and Risk Factors in Sri Lanka

Dr. Prasad Katulanda, Senior Lecturer in Medicine, Consultant Endocrinologist

01.30 pm WHO’s strategy for prevention and control of NCDs

Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake National Professional Officer (NCD) World Health Organisation Office, Sri Lanka

01.45 pm Primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Prof. Thilak Weerarathne Professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna 02.00 pm Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Dr. Godwin Constantine Consultant Cardiologist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

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02.15 pm Prevention and control of Cancers Dr. Suraj Perera Consultant Community Physician National Cancer Control Programme 02.30 pm Tea 02.45 pm Nutrition and NCDs Dr. Ranil Jayawardena Clinical Nutritionist Diabetes Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 03.15 pm Exercise and Physical Activities for the Prevention of NCDs

Dr. C Thurairaja Consultant Radiologist and Sports Medicine and Family Physician President, Asian Federation of Sports Medicine

03.45 pm Prevention and control of oral tobacco use Dr. Hemantha Amarasinghe Consultant in Community Dentistry National Cancer Control Programme 04.15 pm A local model for NCD prevention - The Nirogi Lanka Project Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne Chairperson, NIROGI Lanka Project

04.45 pm CLOSE

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Friday, 24 February 2012 SYMPOSIUM ON PROFESSIONALISM Chairperson: Dr. Vajira Lekamwasam (President, Galle Medical Association) Dr. Lasantha Malavige (Secretary, Sri Lanka Medical Association) 08.30 am The role of the SLMA in Promoting Professionalism among Medical

Professionals Prof. Vajira HW Dissanayake President, SLMA 09.00 am The role of the SLMC in Maintaining Professional Standards

Prof. Lalitha Mendis Former President, Sri Lanka Medical Council

10.00 am Continuing Professional Development Dr. Sunil Senevirathne Epa Chairperson, National Center for CPD in Medicine (NCCPDIM) 10.30 am Tea 10.45 am Meeting patient expectations in health care delivery Dr. K. K. S. Karandagoda Medical Director, Lanka Hospitals 11.15 am Patient Safety Dr. Aruna Rabel Member of the Committee on Patient Safety and Safety in Practice College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka 11.45 am Taking leadership – making a difference Dr. Kapila Jayaratne Assistant Secretary, SLMA 12.15 pm Lunch SYMPOSIUM ON NEW TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE Chairperson: Dr. Ajith Nagahawatta (Immediate Past President, Galle Medical Association) Dr. Dhammika Vidanagama (Secretary, Galle Medical Association) 01.00 pm SLMA Research Award 2011 Lecture Geographic Information Systems in Health Care Dr PVDS Dharmagunawardene Registrar in Medical Administration, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine

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01.30 pm Advances in genetic diagnostics Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, President, SLMA 02.00 pm Sexual Medicine – Breaking the ice and helping patients Dr. Lasantha Malavige Secretary, SLMA 02.30 pm TEA

PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT ON HEALTH CHALLENGES IN THE SOUTH 03.00 pm Arrival of the Minster of Health 03.05 pm Address by the President, SLMA Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake 03.15 pm Health Challenges in the South – Report of the Symposium Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, Assistant Secretary, SLMA

03.45 pm Discussion 04.15 pm Address by the Minister of Health Honorable Maithripala Sirisena 04.45 pm Vote of Thanks Dr. Lasantha Malavige Secretary, SLMA 04.45 pm CLOSE

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WORKSHOPS

Thursday, 23 February 2012 ETHICS REVIEW OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS

Chairperson: Dr. Sathis Gunasinghe (Member, Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna and Member, Ethics Review Committee, Sri Lanka Medical Association)

10.30 am Chairman’s Introductory remarks 10.45 am Aims & Objectives of Ethics Review; Responsibilities of ERC;

International and Local Instruments & Guides Dr. Malik Fernando, Chairperson, Ethics Committee, SLMA

11.15 am The structured review process: the eight segments: Scientific validity & Social value, Risk/Benefit Dr. Ajith Nagahawatte, Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna 11.45 am Respect for Participants: Information sheets, Consent; Vulnerable groups Dr. V. Murali, Consultant Community Physician, Ministry of Health 12.15 pm Discussion 12.30 noon LUNCH 01.15 pm Collaborative Partnerships, International Collaborative Research

Dr. Nilakshi Samaranayake, Member, Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

01.45 pm Clinical Trials Prof. Rohini Fernandopulle, Member, Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 02.15 pm Using animals in research Prof. Mangala Gunatilake, Member, Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 03.00 pm Discussion 03.15 pm Obtaining SIDCER Recognition

Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, President, SLMA and Steering Committee member Forum for Ethical Review Committee in Asia and the Western Pacific

03.30 pm CLOSE

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Friday, 24 February 2012 eHEALTH - OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES Chairpersons: Dr. S.R.U. Wimalaratne (Director Information, Ministry of Health) 09.00 am Address by Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, President, SLMA 09.30 am Introduction to eHealth Dr. S. R. U Wimalaratne, Director Health Information, Ministry of Health 10.00 am Presentation by Intel Mr. Atul Bengeri, Industry Manager, South Asia – Healthcare, Intel 10.30 am TEA

11.00 am Open MRS based Hospital Information system Dr. Saminda M. Dharmaratne Medical Officer In charge – Health Information & Research Unit Teaching Hospital Kandy 11.20 am eIMMR

Dr. N. C. Kariyawasam Medical Officer in Health Informatics Ministry of Health Dr. B. Dayaratne Medical Officer in Health Informatics Ministry of Health

11.40 am An Electronic Health Record for Sri Lankan General Practitioners

Dr. M. H. B. Ariyaratne Postgraduate Trainee in Biomedical Informatics Post Graduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo

12.00 pm Streamlining of eHealth Activities

Dr. K. K. Pradeep Sylva Medical Officer in Health Informatics Ministry of Health

12.15 pm Introduction to the National eHealth Base Documents Dr. Clive C. James Medical Officer in Health Informatics Ministry of Health 12.30 pm Discussion

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12.45 pm LUNCH 01.30 pm Strategic Plan for Management of Information & Electronic

Communication in the North Western Province Dr. W .M. A Wijekoon Assistant Director (Health Information) Health Information and Research Unit Provincial Department of Health Services North Western Province

01.50 pm Maternal and Child Health Management Information System Dr. M. Subodha Manoj Project Coordinator – Health Information Systems Health Informatics Society of Sri Lanka 02.10 pm Public Health Information System at MOH Level

Dr. E. S. S. Rodrigo Post Graduate Trainee in Biomedical Informatics Post Graduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo

02.30 pm Discussion 02.45 pm Close