Medical Crossword first anniversary simple and touching

THE first anniversary of the Daily News HealthWatch and Novartis Medical Nutrition Medical Crossword was held last week (July 15) at the Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo together with the Medical Crossword draw No. 12.

The event was simple - only an evening tea, but touching because all the prize winners from Crossword No. 1 to No. 11 whom we invited came for the event, some from as far as Gampola, Matale and Kurunegala.

Dr. Dennis Aloysius a leading family physician in the country, a Visiting Lecturer at the PGIM and a Member of our Medical Advisory Panel, touching on this point in his speech said "Truly you are making history, and you have already made history by creating the first Medical Crossword feature in the world, and carried it on for one year.

He added, "Novartis Medical Nutrition is equally to be credited for having sponsored the first Medical Crossword and Edward Arambewala for conceiving the idea".

Holga Kunze pleased

Regional Director of Novartis Medical Nutrition Holga Kunze the chief guest at the event said he was greatly pleased to participate in this event, and he wished to thank the Daily News on behalf of his company for having invited Novartis to sponsor the world's first Medical Crossword in the Daily News HealthWatch, the country's leading newspaper.

At the conclusion of the welcome speech HealthWatch Coordinator Arambewala read a poem titled - 'Medical Crossword in Baby Talks', which he had compiled to mark the event, which was much appreciated by those present. They wanted this poem published as most of them would be preserving the today's Health Page they said.

We at the Daily News Features Desk HealthWatch and Novartis Medical Nutrition (sponsors of the Medical Crossword) wish to convey our appreciation and profound thanks for all those who attended our first anniversary.

- A. G.

The future of psychology in Sri Lanka
 

BY Piyanjali de Zoysa and Chandrika Ismail (Clinical Psychologist)

THERE is still much to be done to improve the status of psychology in Sri Lanka. The most pressing need is the establishment of a good postgraduate course of studies at the Masters level that provides an opportunity to pursue training in applied psychology.

At present, only clinical and social psychology are available, but there is a hope that trained psychologists will return to the island after obtaining postgraduate education overseas.

The establishment of a Sri Lankan association of psychologists is crucial to the establishment of psychology. Such an association would serve as the regulatory body for all practising and academic psychologists in the country.

In Sri Lanka, this association would need to be established by an act of Parliament, something that would be a major milestone in the establishment of the profession of psychology in Sri Lanka.

Were such an association to be formed and incorporated as a legal provision in the country, it is likely that all specialities of psychology, including clinical psychology, would be regulated by this legal provision and not by any other professional body.

Obtaining more placements and job opportunities within the government and private sectors is an important factor in the future of psychology.

Increased career opportunities would attract Sri Lankan psychologists who are studying and working overseas and who tend to believe that career opportunities are limited in the country.

This goal requires concerted action on the part of the psychologists already present, and requires enhancing awareness in both public and professional communities about psychology and its many potential contributions to society.