Regional Programme Managers’ Meeting

on Prevention and Control of Birth Defects

20 - 22 March 2012, Bangkok, Thailand

Birth defects cause a significant social and economic burden

Birth defects diminish productivity and quality of life and cause a significant social and economic burden on individuals, families, communities and society.  Birth can cause lifelong impairment and may need costly medical or surgical treatment that may not be available or affordable, and ultimately require long-term care from families, communities and health systems. 

Regional Programme Managers meeting has been planned to review the current situation, advocate for national strategies for prevention of birth defects, disseminate global experiences and deliberate on strategic approaches that Member States would like to follow in the Region.

Specific Objectives:

a.             Discuss the draft Regional Situation Analysis on birth defects.
b.            Share the global situation and the global experience on prevention of birth defects.
c.             Identify opportunities for implementing interventions for prevention of birth defects.
d.            Obtain inputs from the countries on the draft Regional strategy on prevention and control of birth defects.
e.             Explore possibilities of regional and national networks of institutions on Birth Defects

Presentation of Sri Lanka Country Action Points:

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne

- National Programme Manager - Maternal & Child Morbidity & Mortality Surveillance

Southern Regional Conference - Sri Lanka Medical Association 2012

Sri Lanka Medical Association

Southern Regional Conference - 23 & 24 February 2012

Light House Hotel, Galle

in Collaboration with the

Galle Medical Association

Symposium on Health Challenges in THE SOUTH – The Way Forward

Chairpersons:

Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake (President, Sri Lanka Medical Association)

Dr. Kapila Jayarathne (Assistant Secretary, Sri Lanka Medical Association)

The symposium was conducted in two sessions. The initial session to sensitize and collate issues was held on 23^rd February with the participation of relevant stakeholders from the Southern Province.

Prof Vajira W Dissanayake (President – SLMA) and Dr. Vajira Lekamwasam (President – GMA) co-chaired the workshop. Dr. Kapila Jayaratne (Assistant Secretary – SLMA) organized and moderated the workshop.

Prof Dissanayake while welcoming the participants outlined the importance of conducting symposiums of this nature to improve the service delivery in periphery and appreciated contribution of all the participants.

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, presented background health indicators of Southern Province in relation to national statistics. He outlined the objectives of the workshop;

   1.    To sensitize policy makers and healthcare administrators on the issues faced by healthcare workers in Southern Province

   2.    To negotiate for feasible solutions to improve the healthcare service delivery in Southern Province

Following healthcare professionals from different fields presented challenges they encounter in healthcare service delivery in the Southern Province;

·         Health Challenges in Galle District

- Dr. Vajira Lekamwasam (President – GMA)

·         Health Challenges in Matara District

- Dr. R.M.U.K. Rathnayake (Regional Epidemiologist – Matara)

·         Challenges faced by the Private Sector  in the Southern Province

-Dr. Aruna Rabel, Director – Medical Services, Hemas Hospitals

·         Challenges in Undergraduate & Postgraduate Medical Education in the Southern Province  -Prof P L Ariyananda, Senior Professor of Medicine, University of Ruhuna

The session to negotiate for solutions was held on 24^th February with the participation of Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Health, as the Chief Guest, ministry officials, politicians, healthcare administrators of southern province, medical professionals, public health workers and medical students.

Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, welcomed the Hon Minister and participants. He thanked Hon Minister for his contribution in addressing issues in the health sector in the Southern Province.

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne compiled and presented major issues identified at the workshop conducted previous day. Dr. Palitha Maheepala (Additional Secreatry – MS) facilitated the negotiation process for finding solutions.

Taking leadership – Making a difference

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne

Assistant Secretary, SLMA

The success story of National Schoolbag Campaign was described as a person-driven initiative to make a difference in the community by a medical professional. Four million school children would benefit as a result of introduction of an ergonomically designed healthy schoolbag.

KeyNote Address - International Ergonomic Association Recife, Brazil 2012

Dear Kapila,

I join with all the leadership team of the IEA in congratulating you on achieving this prestigious invitation and delivering the inspiring story. It was a pleasure to be with you in Recife and to witness your presentation with international colleagues. They were so impressed by you and your achievements. It was a wonderful example of the proposed “Future of Ergonomics” challenge how you have engaged so successfully with  political and business stakeholders to take up the leadership to strive for adopting theergonomics interventions.

I just wished there were more in the room to hear thestory. It was a pity that the Program had four excellent keynotes all on at thesame time.

I am personally so proud to be part of your journey Kapila. Who would have thought 6 or 7 years ago when we started corresponding that you wouldbe one of the IEA 2012 Keynote speakers in Brazil with a paper to be publishedin the Journal Ergonomics?

Your personal drive and commitment is a wonderful testament of what makes a successful outcome. I look forward to witness your next achievements. I feel confident that there will be many more to come.

Best Wishes,

David Caple

Former President - IEA