Compiled by Carol Aloysius
President Maithripala Sirisena last week inaugurated the ‘Vedasa Medical exhibition’ organised by the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Sri Jayawardenepura University, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Hall ( BMICH). The exhibition which concluded on December 8 was the grand finale of several events held to celebrate the completion of 25 years as a leading Medial Faculty in Sri Lanka, sources reportedly said.
The theme this year, 25 Wasaraka Vidudaya Vedasin Suwaith Deyak, reflected the vision of the SJU Medical Sciences Faculty which had striven to build a healthy nation during its 25-year existence. The exhibition stalls were based on the module system of the Faculty curriculum depicting the normal functions and abnormalities of the body systems. They included, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastro intestinal, renal, reproductive, endrocine, central nervous system and special senses. The exhibition also featured stalls relating to substance abuse, haematological disorders, malignancies, infectious diseases and control programs, surgical procedures, and available orthopaedic and trauma facilities. Viewers were also given useful poison information, family medicine and allergies.
Sources reportedly said, another popular attraction was the human body module which displayed dissected bodies providing a first time experience for Lankan spectators. Another interesting attraction drawing large crowds was the Forensic Medicine stall which showcased how this specialty assists legal authorities in solving problems.
Other attractions included, sessions on Mindfulness conducted daily to focus on a different aspect of well being i.e. healing of the mind. Visitors were also selectively given the opportunity to undergo free medical check ups and various medical investigations, the results of which were available through a user friendly system at the medical Informatics stall. Based on the results, health promotion and disease prevention advice will be given, targeting the current non communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, sources were quoted as saying.
CAA intensifies December raids
Officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority ( CAA) were quoted as saying, with Christmas just a week away, the Authority has started to intensify its December raids islandwide to nab errant vendors selling sub standard goods to the public. CAA sources were reported to have said that the Authority received daily complaints about frauds, malpractices and corruption of unscrupulous traders which had spiked in the weeks close to the festive season. They were quoted as saying they had already taken many errant vendors to court and earned Rs 8,450,500 this year. C A Provincial Assistant Director S. Nandasiri was quoted as saying that over 2,560 raids had been conducted at the Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Galle , Matara and Hambanatoa with the highest number of 1,211 made in the Galle district following increased complaints from the public.
Meanwhile, a large scale racket of selling herbicides reportedly imported secretly from foreign countries, especially, India,has been reported in Dambulla according to local farmers in the district. Regional farmers were quoted as saying that they were kept at stores of chemicals and grown on cultivated lands to be sold secretly. A packet of herbicides is allegedly sold at Rs 1,500 .
Herbicides have been cited as having adverse impacts on human health by world health authorities. In 2017, Indian newspapers reportedly noted that 7 deadly pesticides and some weedicides were being used in India which the rest of the world had banned. Health officials contacted by the Sunday Observer said, the effect of banned herbicides on the human body depended on the amount of toxicity in the plants. In the long run they could cause endocrine disruption, thyroid disruption and had carcinogenic effects, they said.
Steps to control crop destroying caterpillar
It has been reported, the Government would grant a 50% subsidy to control the spread of a crop devastating caterpillar ‘Sena” ( Fall Army Worm) and the Agriculture Dept. had recommended four pesticides to prevent the caterpillar spreading and the Government had allocated Rs 50 million to spray the pesticides. The most affected areas are said to be Anuradhapura, Ampara and Kurunegala.
National standard for plugs, sockets
The widespread use of sub standard plugs and sockets, electrical equipment, adapters (multiple sockets) and extension cords in the country, a primary cause of electricity deaths, has raised concern promoting a discussion to raise more awareness on the subject. A special discussion on the National Standard for Plugs and Sockets non industrial applications was held recently organised by the Public Utilities Commission ( PUCSL) with the support of the Ceylon Electricity Board ( CEB) , Lanka Electricity Company , Sri Lanka Standards Institution ( SLSI) , Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Department of Import & Export, Sri Lanka Customs ( SLC) and Institute of Engineers, who joined in introducing the national standard for plugs and sockets outlets in Sri Lanka back in 2016. They said, the widespread use of sub standard electrical items which had escalated the number of electricity deaths in the country, was the reason the PUCSL had decided that the Type G plug and socket outlet ( widely known as the 1 ampere plug and socket outlet, commonly referred to as the ‘square pin’plug and socket ) to be the only national standard to be used in Sri Lanka from January 2016. They reportedly expressed hope that they could reduce accidental electrocution to a new low by 2020.
Lack of toilets drives diseases among schoolchildren
More than 25 % of schools in Sri Lanka lack toilet facilities, a discussion on World Toilet Day observed recently has revealed. The Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Ministry has reportedly said it will ensure that every family and school would have proper sanitary facilities with 25% of schools being given proper toilets within the school complex, warning that open air defecation was a public health menace which must end. Health Ministry statistics quoted that around 2,182 cases of dysentery and 432 cases of enteric fever were reported to its Communicable Diseases Unit.
Public must keep homes safe, avoid drunken driving during festive season
The Accident Service has urged the public to ensure a safe home environment and avoid drunken driving during the festive season. Sources said, the commonest injuries were falls from unstable ladders, electrocution from sub quality electrical sockets, and burns in young children while decorating the tree. They also warned drivers of motor vehicles to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.
HelpAge Xmas cards to help elderly citizens get cataract surgery
With barely a week for Christmas here’s good news for those looking for the right Christmas card to send a loved one. A large collection of over 400,000 Christmas greeting cards adorned with colourful graphic designs depicting the Nativity and Birth of Christ and picturesque Bethlehem, published by HelpAge Sri Lanka ( HASL) are now on sale at leading book shops and super centres islandwide , the proceeds of which are to be used to help needy senior citizens (over 55 years ) get free cataract surgery and spectacles.
The cards are also available at the HASL head office at No 102, Pemanand Mawatha, Raththanapitiya Boralesgamuwa (adjoining the Sri Jayawardenapura University ).