Meeting Health Needs in Vanni
Ganesa n
Why Should We Get Involved?
How does the health ministry work? Then, how does the Health services develop in Sri Lanka? Role of specialists, consultant doctors – beyond clinical care
The positive side – the space / welcome input
Whose responsibility is it to develop?
Dr. Nihal Jayathilake Dr. Ajith Mendis
Some Health Needs
Children - Nutrition, health education to parents on feeding weaning
Youth - planning family, addiction services
Old age - many health needs
Disability - Intellectual disability, war related, disease related disability
Addiction
Oncology
Mental Health / Trauma
What is There Now
Killinochi Hospital
Mullaitivu hospital
Other small hospitals
Some primary care services –
Shortage doctors, nurses, and other staff
No consultants – one person just appointed
Atmosphere - poor
Health Service Development
Health survey – need identification
Hospitals need building, equipping
Staff need training
Referral system needs developing
Community care has to be established
Communication systems
Data management
Rehabilitation Services
Problems
Assessment difficult – rapidly changing
Access to assess needs/ work limited
Hardly any leadership to form partnerships
Community weak to highlight needs
Problems in monitoring and evaluation
Some immediate Possibilities
Visiting consultants from nearby regions – needs support
Mainly from Jaffna
Support communication needs – phones etc
Tele-medicine support - local/ international
Strategic input to hospitals
Support for training – The different colleges, NGOs, could be partners Support dissemination of material / books
Long Term Programs
Develop health infrastructure
Training for staff – direct and indirect
Detailed assessments of health needs
Translation of manuals and books
Data management
Tele-medicine support
In Conclusion
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.