Sri Lanka Medicine & Healthcare Management Plan Company Mission Our mission is to encourage young people to volunteer for worthwhile work in developing countries. We expect that doing this kind of voluntary work will in time become the norm. As more and more people join us, we aim to create a multi-national community with a passion to serve, to learn, to understand, to teach, to inspire, and to be inspired. Medical Programme Mission Our Medical programme mission is to enable an exchange of medical knowledge and facilitate a greater understanding of global healthcare practices. By empowering local communities, we aim to improve standards of health through awareness, prevention and treatment. Background Information Sri Lanka is known to have one of the world s earliest healthcare systems i. Today healthcare for the people of Sri Lanka is organised through both public and private sectors and includes the services of those practicing within the Western system of healthcare, and those practising within traditional systems of medicine, especially the Ayurvedic system. Sri Lanka has surpassed most its Millenium Development Goal s targets for 2015, outperforming most of the nearby comparable countries ii. It has achieved commendable health status measured in terms of health indices in relation to GDP. This is partly thanks to social policies including universal free healthcare and education adopted by successive governments iii. However, challenges do remain. Significant achievements have been made in eradicating diseases preventable by vaccinations, including Japanese encephalitis, as well as malaria. However, some neglected tropical diseases such as leptospirosis continue to be a threat iv. Changing demography and epidemiological transition present new challenges. By 2036 more than 22% of the population will be over 60, and there will be 61 dependent adults per 100 adults. As the
population ages and gains higher income, the burden of disease has shifted to from communicable diseases, to non-communicable diseases associated with lifestyle changes. Non-communicable diseases now account for 85% of the total disease burden in Sri Lanka. Healthcare services need to adapt and build capacity to manage this. v The government s 2014 Health Policy was directed at consolidating the earlier gains as well as adopting new policies to raise the health status of the people. The broad aim of the health policy is to further increase Life Expectancy by reducing preventable deaths due to both communicable and non- communicable diseases and improve the quality of life by reducing preventable diseases, health problems and disability as well as emphasizing the positive aspects of health through promotion. Partners We work with Projects Abroad Sri Lanka who are registered as non-governmental organisation (NGO) through the Department of Social Services of Sri Lanka. Our partners are government medical institutions based in Southern and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. Our partners include the following organisations: a. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Maharagama,Colombo b. District Ayurveda Hospital- Lunawa c. Kethumathi Women's Hospital - Panadura d. Panadura Base Hospital - Panadura e. Ayurveda Hospital Wadduwa f. Balapitiya Base Hospital - Balapitiya g. Karapitiya Teaching Hospital - Galle We partner with government funded hospitals that GOALS support our Medical programme and recognise the role of volunteers in development. In order to work towards our Medical programme mission, we have set the following goals to achieve in the placements where we send volunteers: 1. Encourage an understanding of medical practices and promote an exchange of medical knowledge Many of our medical volunteers have no or little experience within the medical field. Their project
allows them to gain invaluable insight into the healthcare system and procedures within a different country, as well as prevalent local issues. We aim to create a platform for a true cultural exchange, with volunteers learning from local staff as well as sharing their experiences with one another. We facilitate platforms where volunteers, local doctors and medical practitioners can share best practices through workshops, in-house seminars or informal exchanges. We also highly encourage trained and specialised professionals to organise workshops and share their know-how with their placement and fellow volunteers. We also aim to promote a better knowledge of best medical practices with other partner institutions such as local schools and orphanages, to encourage better hygiene and healthier lifestyle choices. Through these actions, the project is able to become a real learning experience. 2. Improve access to basic health care for disadvantaged groups. Despite free universal healthcare in Sri Lanka, some disadvantaged groups are still unable to access services in hospitals and primary health units. We arrange monthly medical camps with the aim of offering basic medical check-ups and services closer to these groups. 3. Promote awareness of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the primary cause of death around the world, with over 35 million deaths each year, representing 60% of all deaths worldwide. In Sri Lanka, non-communicable diseases are on the rise. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases now account for 70% of deaths in Sri Lanka vi. Through our outreach visits to local orphanages, schools and villages, we aim to educate and raise awareness around these diseases as well as promote healthier lifestyle choices to limit their growth. 4. Improve hygiene standards Poor sanitation can lead to a host of hygiene-related diseases and infections. We raise awareness about hygiene by organising activities in schools, villages and orphanages in order to prevent serious illness and improve the overall health of the population. 5. Improve the quality of specialised or alternative healthcare to patients Alternative healthcare methods, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and acupuncture, are relatively new to Sri Lanka, and their availability is mainly concentrated in the capital. Access to these professionals is limited and expensive. Professional and/or experienced volunteers in these fields are expected to assist with the assessment and treatment of patients. RESOURCES Projects Abroad Sri Lanka provide a range of resources for each of our programmes. These fall into four interdependent categories:
Human: Volunteers themselves are our most crucial asset in achieving our goals. Through their creativity and energy, all of our ambitions can be realised. Another central support team is our extensive network of Projects Abroad staff, dedicated to supporting volunteers and achieving our company mission. We also depend greatly on the staff in all of our placements; whose support guides volunteers through their daily activities. Physical: Projects Abroad has an office where volunteers can come to speak to staff or attend workshops. There are also office materials and placement supplies available to volunteers. Online: The Volunteers Resources Database and myprojectsabroad webpages all provide vital support before, during and after their placements. Financial: Funds for all of Projects Abroad s work come solely from volunteer fees. These are distributed via monthly budgets, to ensure fair allocation of funds for each destination. Intangible: The good reputation of volunteers in local communities is what makes our work possible. This reputation has been earned over years of dedicated volunteer contribution. This is supported by the combined knowledge of our extensive staff network. MONITORING & EVALUATION Physical monitoring: Through placement visits and volunteer workshops, volunteers are in frequent contact with staff members, who will observe and advise volunteers in action. Staff participate in regular meetings to discuss best practices within and between destinations. Online monitoring: The Volunteer Resource Database is platform for staff and volunteers to share and develop ideas. Feedback evaluation: Feedback from placement staff, Projects Abroad staff and volunteers is continuously gathered and used to inform future plans. LOCATION OF PLACEMENTS Projects Abroad Sri Lanka base is in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Our Medical placements are based in the Western- (Colombo, Moratuwa & Panadura), and Southern (Balapitiya and Galle) parts of the country.