Health Watch

Awareness, only drug against medical negligence!

A license to kill or cure?:

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Medical negligence has become a cancer in Sri Lanka. We have diagnosed this ‘disease’ as something fatal which requires immediate attention if we sincerely want to save the population. Otherwise the situation will get worse and innocent people who do not have any knowledge about medical conditions will continue to suffer and will have to go abroad to obtain medical treatment which is very costly. It is very easy to put the blame entirely on the Minister of Health who has got nothing to do with ‘Clean Reports’ fabricated by qualified experts/specialists on the subject.

First of all, what has to be stopped is “making inquiries of the thief from his mother” ‘Horage Ammagen Pena Aseema'. This is the major issue in connection with this. Action should be taken to prevent MBBS doctors from holding higher positions in the health sector admintration. As long as doctors are involved in investigations on medical negligence incidents, nobody can expect transparent and impartial investigations and justice for the victims. This is why up to now not even a single culprit was found and punished for hundreds of medical negligence incidents occurred in the past all over the country killing and permanently disabling infants, children, pregnant mothers, and people from all walks of life.

Awareness, a must

On the other hand, in order to ‘survive’ in this very dangerous environment, all citizens need to be aware of almost all health issues, treatment and complications. Then at least you will be able to save yourself when you sense that something is wrong (and if you have enough money to seek medical treatment from a private sector). But that is not everything you need to have. If you seek medical treatment from the state sector, you need to know attendants, nurses, doctors, MLTs etc. Otherwise sometimes you will not be able to get the required attention and care!

Let us analyze the latest incident, the case of Law Faculty student, Achala. According to Health Ministry spokesman, there should be a small space between the 'Plaster of paris’ and the hand/leg. If the plaster is too tight it should be removed and replaced. The other important fact is monitoring whether there is any redness, swelling etc on the upper part of the hand/leg (just above the band of 'Plaster of paris'. It is high time that general public turned their attention to these facts in order to save themselves from medical negligence. But now unfortunately it is too late for the law student to learn such facts. Even if she came to know these facts high medical costs charged by the private hospitals would prevent her from seeking treatment there.

My own aunt (mother's sister) went to the nearest state hospital to obtain treatment for a fracture on her hand recently (long before the law student's incident) and the medical staff had laid a very tight band of 'Plaster of paris’ on her hand.

She had complained about the tightness thrice, but did not receive any response. What she had done was removing the plaster herself by cutting it off using a scissor at home and seeking medical treatment from a reputed private hospital.

She was able to save her hand because she is a retired science teacher with an income and a very good awareness on her medical condition. But we cannot expect the same response from all patients, especially from the illiterate patients.

Story of all

Here comes the most dangerous situation. This is not the story of one or two persons in Sri Lanka. This is the story of almost all upper and lower middle class Sri Lankans.

You channel a doctor after waiting in a queue for many hours in the early hours of the day, then go home and turn up on the day of the appointment. Now the patient who has the first appointment enters the consultation room ! The doctor has already started scribbling something on prescription pad without even listening to the patient of his/her symptoms!

This is not the story of all the doctors. There are many doctors who limit the number of appointments to allocate adequate time for each patient and listen to the patient very carefully while asking many questions. When doctors examine a large number of patients , the most unfortunate ones are those who come last on the list.

By the time they see the doctor, the latter is tired after examining over 45 patients and he/she may have to visit other hospitals also for consultation. So everything is done in a rush and the patient does not get required attention.

Plight of common man

The most pathetic situation is that only ordinary patients undergo all those hardships. No powerful or wealthy patient with ‘high’ connections undergoes any of those hardships. All what they need to do is to dial the doctor's mobile number and inform the doctor that he or she is out there near the channeling room.

The next moment the powerful patient is allowed to go in. He/she normally spends a long time inside the chaneling room, sometimes even having friendly chats with the doctor. The others have to wait outside for hours until this patient comes out.

If some doctors behave like this while earning good money in the private sector, it is useless to talk about their behavior at state hospitals. The patient has the ethical right to know about his/her disease but the doctor never spend time to answer such questions. Asking questions very often becomes an offence ! It is the same with some nurses in the state sector.

Creating greater awareness about AIDS

Ishara Jayawardane

* Sri Lanka has a low level HIV epidemic with an estimated adult HIV prevalence of less than 0.1% in 2011 and an estimated 4,200 people living with HIV

* By the End of 2012, the reported cumulative number of HIV cases was 1, 649 (981 males and 688 females) with a male-to- female ratio of 1.5 :1

* By the end of 2012, the reported numbers of cumulative AIDS cases and AIDS related deaths were 432 and 283 respectively.

* HIV positive men outnumbered women in all age groups, except for the 15-19 year age group in which the numbers for both were almost equal

* HIV infected people were mostly found in the 35-39 year age group,which constituted nearly 20% of all cases.

* The estimated number of female sex workers (FSW's) in Sri Lanka ranged from 35,000 to 47,000- with an estimated 8,332 in Colombo and 1, 138 in Anuradhapura

AIDS is a virulent disease which threatens to swallow humanity into its gaping maw. In this situation we are all allies with the health sector, fighting a war for the survival of mankind. Fighting a war that can be won through awareness.

Reckitt Benckiser, marketer of leading global brand Durex, together with the Lanka Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS (LBCH), launched a pledge campaign towards creating greater awareness about HIV and AIDS recently.

In his address Deputy Minister of Health, Lalith Dissanayake said that the world faces a huge task in the quest to win this battle against AIDS/HIV virus. “Procreation is vital to the future of the human race. This cannot be prevented. Therefore the problem of HIV must be dealt with. So prevention of HIV is a must.Awareness is the key here.”

“The public must be made aware. This is our responsibility. Here we must be united in purpose. Safety is vital in our effort. The health sector is making every effort in this matter. In every district there are special units for Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Should you have any doubt or suspicion concerning your health there are facilities available provided by the Health Sector to obtain medical help. We want to exterminate this medical threat. Here we urge the public and the corporate sector to assist us and work with us. I would also like to thank the above mentioned for their assistance.

In particular our focus on schools has been another step in making people aware. This is a challenge which we intend on meeting. If children can be made aware this will go a long way in prevention of HIV/AIDS. We also value the Cooperation of the tourism industry.”

World AIDS day was celebrated just a few weeks ago and the campaign focused on “Zero AIDS related deaths”. The campaign was an earnest wake up call for the responsible citizens, government entities and focused groups like a drum motivating troops. Because this is very much a war against such a pestilence.

“In Sri Lanka, like in any other part of the world, AIDS is a chronic disease that carries a great financial burden; casts a stigma and creates social discrimination for the bearer and the family. Accordingly there is a need for social mobilization and social justice to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS related fatalities.

Hence we believe that HIV and AIDS treatment should be prevention and prevention alone. At Reckitt Benckiser, we saw a strategic as well as ethical connect between our brand Durex and HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives undertaken by LBCH. We are looking at creating workplace awareness on the cause and would seek widespread participation from all leading corporate on the same.

Since a vast majority of HIV infections happen through sexual contact, Durex has a key role to play in driving global awareness on the issue and help prevent HIV transmission. Durex's ultimate challenge is to help achieve the ‘Zero’ motto of the AIDS campaign of 2013,” said Reckitt Benckiser Managing Director, Rahul Murgai

“Our aim is to provide a much needed platform for creating awareness within work places and the community at large as prevention is the best defense against the spread of the virus.

HIV impacts not only individuals and their families, but the economy as a whole and well being of society. We hope our efforts inspire others to join forces with us against the spread of the virus,” said CEO Standard Chartered bank and LBCH steering committee member Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar.

Doctor robot ready to perform surgery!

Ishara Jayawardane

He doesn't have a degree in medicine, but he is one of the best doctors in the world and he isn't even alive. Well technically he isn't alive but he can do everything a doctor can do and more. He has no age or feelings. He isn't even a human being actually. But he can perform surgical wonders. He is a perfect gentleman with the nurses and his name is Doctor Robot!

Keeping up its reputation of creating ground breaking medical advancements, Apollo Hospitals launches the OncoRobotic Surgery Initiative. A system where a computer actually performs surgery. Computers that don't feel fatigue, pressure or fear and are fool proof or infallible.

A world where there are no mistakes and no human error in medical surgical wards because it is being done by a machine. Isn't technology wonderful? This multi specialty, multi modality Institute offers Robot assisted surgeries if world class standards at costs which are just a fraction of what is charged by similar hospitals in the west.

Apollo Hospitals aims at creating awareness about the advantages of robotic surgery as a better treatment for cancer as it is more precise, comfortable and has the best clinical outcome for treatment of cancer. State of the art operating theaters in Apollo are equipped with the Da Vinci Si surgical system - the most advanced platform for minimally invasive surgery available today.

The four armed surgical robotic system is a breakthrough in surgical capabilities, especially in the areas of Uro- Oncology, Gynae Oncology, Gastro Oncology and Head and Neck - Oncology where precision matters the most. This is the only system that allows surgeons to operate while seated, which may also be clinically advantageous.

This information was disseminated at a seminar organized recently where Dr. K. Ramesh - Specialist Robotic Urology surgery and Dr. Sumana Manohar - Specialist - Robotic Gynaecology surgery shared their knowledge on Robotic Surgery. A Robotic Surgery helpline was launched by Jithu Jose- General Manager - International Division of Apollo Hospitals and Nilmini Withana - CEO Med Connect - Sri Lanka.

“I am happy to learn about the robotic surgery helpline launched in Sri Lanka. Innovations and break through technologies play a pivotal role in health care. In the diverse and constant battle against cancer, the surgical robot is soon gaining ground. Apollo Hospitals strives to bring the best of innovations and best practices into Robotic Surgery in India and we are happy to share this expertise with the medical fraternity across the globe.

This Onco Robotic Surgery initiative has resulted from our commitment and efforts as a responsible healthcare provider, providing health care at an affordable price delivered with our trademark tender loving care. This initiative is aimed to provide patients with clinical outcome of global standards and perhaps even better conventional surgery,” said Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Dr. Prathap. C. Reddy.