Dr. Ganesan Morning Presentation IMHO Convention 2010

Meeting Health Needs in Vanni

Ganesa n

Why Should We Get Involved?  

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How does the health ministry work?

Then, how does the Health services develop in Sri Lanka?

Role of specialists, consultant doctors – beyond clinical care

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The positive side – the space / welcome input

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Whose responsibility is it to develop?

Dr. Nihal Jayathilake Dr. Ajith Mendis

Some Health Needs 

Children - Nutrition, health education to parents on feeding weaning

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Youth - planning family, addiction services

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Old age - many health needs

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Disability - Intellectual disability, war related, disease related disability

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Addiction

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Oncology

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Mental Health / Trauma

What is There Now 

Killinochi Hospital

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Mullaitivu hospital

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Other small hospitals

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Some primary care services –

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Shortage doctors, nurses, and other staff

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No consultants – one person just appointed

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Atmosphere - poor

Health Service Development 

Health survey – need identification

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Hospitals need building, equipping

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Staff need training

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Referral system needs developing

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Community care has to be established

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Communication systems

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Data management

Rehabilitation Services

Problems 

Assessment difficult – rapidly changing

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Access to assess needs/ work limited

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Hardly any leadership to form partnerships

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Community weak to highlight needs

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Problems in monitoring and evaluation

Some immediate Possibilities 

Visiting consultants from nearby regions – needs support 

Mainly from Jaffna

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Support communication needs – phones etc

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Tele-medicine support - local/ international

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Strategic input to hospitals

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Support for training – The different colleges, NGOs, could be partners Support dissemination of material / books

Long Term Programs 

Develop health infrastructure

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Training for staff – direct and indirect

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Detailed assessments of health needs

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Translation of manuals and books

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Data management

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Tele-medicine support

In Conclusion  

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Many of the health needs are unmet.

Health in a broader framework – determinants of health We have to find different strategies to meet these needs The needs are going to be there for a long time Shift from a emergency response mode to long term sustainable development mode There is a need to develop long term alliances with organizations and individuals

IMHO has clearly demonstrated in the past it's capacity to support interventions to meet health needs This I am sure will continue with increased energy now.