A team at the Dept of Pharmacology of the Colombo Medical Faculty has reportedly come up with a Students Formulary, the first in the country.
The Sri Lanka Students’ Formulary ( SLSF) which took over eight years to formulate was introduced at the end of last month. Dean of the Colombo Medical Faculty Prof. Jennifer Perera has reportedly said it was a uniquely Sri Lankan publication using evidence based on our own use of drugs and was aimed at giving guidance to new interns to reduce medication errors. She allegedly noted there was an increase in such errors and suggested that future editions on new drugs and their side effects etc be reviewed and the SLSF be updated at least once in three years.
Prof. in Pharmacology, Priyadarshini Galappatthy reportedly explained that the publication consisted a core list of around 100 commonly used drugs prescribed by junior doctors. Head of the Pharmacology Department, Colombo Medical Faculty, Prof Shalini Sri Ranganathan was also reported as saying, there are no safe medications , only safe prescriptions. She urged the Health Ministry to set in motion an audit system to reduce medication errors by junior doctors.
Pvt hospital fee to be regulated
Charges of 46 services at private hospitals will be regulated soon, Health Minister Dr Rajitha Seneratne has said at a Kalutara District meeting of the All Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association . He reportedly said, when people see their bills issued by private hospitals they get heart attacks. High prices of 48 drugs were slashed in the past. The Minister reportedly said, the health sector had received 43 private sector investments and the prices of 25 drugs including cancer drugs would be reduced before long. The All Island Pvt Pharmacy Owners’ Association does not charge people unreasonably but private pharmacies earn profits from the public, he has reportedly said.
March to raise awareness on Trafficking in Persons
Data emerging from the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment has revealed that low skilled domestic workers are the most likely to be victims of human trafficking. Colombo and semi urban areas have been identified as hotspots for outbound migration largely among low-skilled and domestic workers. Based on these revelations the International Labour Organization Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and Migrant Trainees recently led an awareness raising march on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons . This campaign targeted communities in specific hotspots of outbound migration, starting from the Pannipitiya SLBFE Training Center.
Synthetic drug abuse increasing
Enforced Drug authorities meanwhile are concerned over cheap banned drugs making their way to Sr Lanka in consignments found in freight sent home by Lankan expatriates, and have urged stricter law enforcement. They have said that these drugs come in a variety of forms: pills, infused stamps , powder, crystals and liquids which are also known as designer drugs as they are frequently altered by manufacturers to escape regulation and control.. South Asia Coordinator for United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime ( UN)DC) Shanaka Jayasekera has reportedly warned of a large trafficiking of yay, ( a synthetic variant) , a low cost synthetic drug in pill form gaining popularity in the Indian Ocean region.
Dengue spreading in Matale
The risk of dengue spreading in Matale has resurfaced with the prevailing inclement weather, health officials have said recently. Several dengue prevention programmes are being conducted to raise awareness and reduce the risk of infection with a team of health officials carrying out door to door health inspections as well.
SriLankan flight, cabin crew suffering from fatigue
A considerable number of SriLankan Airline’s flight and cabin crew members seem to be suffering from the cumulative effects of residual fatigue which impact on their medical health, Civil Aviatio Director H.M.C. Nimalasiri has reportedly warned. He has reportedly suggested that this aspect be given due consideration both for the health of the crew and the safety of the passengers.
First Healthiest workplace survey launched
For the first time in Sri Lanka a private insurance company AIA has stepped in to ensure a healthy workforce . AIA chief Marketing Officer Pankaj Bannerjee was recently quoted as saying that there was a sharp decline in the number of people who are satisfied with their health. He cited the WHO report which stated 24 % of people in Sri Lanka did not exercise enough, 1.5 million smoked 11 cigarettes a day, 73% don’t eat enough vegetables and 3.5 litres of alcohol is consumed per capita. The report also states that 75% of deaths in Sri Lanka are due to non communicable diseases.
AIA chief Marketing Officer Nikhil Advani has reportedly said that corporate wellness was an integral part of ensuring a healthy workforce. In that sense the AIA announced the Healthiest workplace survey for the first time in Sri Lanka and nearly 200 leading corporates have already registered for this.
Walk-athon for Little Hearts Fund
The Sri Lankan School Muscat, Oman conducted a walk-athon from Independence Square to Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children, recently, to create an awareness on heart diseases in children and obtain funds to support the Little Hearts Fund . The school organised this to celebrate 30 years of academic excellence.
Stay hydrated but avoid too much water
Physicians in the US have warned athletes and football players playing in the hot sun to stay hydrated but avoid drinking too much water. According to them while people could die of sunstroke and suffer complications from dehydration, drinking too much water, especially, during a marathon can upset the water balance in one’s body.