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In-house doctor and medical centre at Ananda College
View(s):Ananda College Colombo, on Friday opened its newly established medical centre equipped with emergency facilities and an in-house doctor.
The centre was established by the Old Anandians Medical Guild following the death of a nine-year old student at the school premises recently.
This centre will provide a clinical facility for detection, managing, monitoring and follow up of medical disorders occurring in students and staff. The centre will maintain an accurate Medical Information System, as a data base. It will also conduct educational and awareness programmes on good health and lifestyle practices, promote healthy sporting concepts and allied activities.
The centre is equipped with a doctor’s room, observation room and has beds, medical equipment and medicinal drugs.
Principal of Ananda College, Kithsiri Liyanagamage addressing the gathering said the move by the Old Anandian Medical Guild to establish a medical centre and have an in-house medical professional throughout the day in a school of 6,000 students was an admirable move.
“In today’s competitive system, parents have less time to be with their children and keep an eye on their health and wellbeing. It is time that schools’ play an important role in ensuring children’s health,” he said.
He said apart from the old-boys, parents who are medical professionals had also offered their support to man the medical centre. Minister of Health Maitripala Sirisena, who was the Chief Guest at the ceremony, stressed schools should not only concentrate on physical health of students but also on mental health as children are now exposed to a world of new technology.
“These new technologies tend to distance children from their parents”, the Minister said. “Children often tend to lock themselves their in their rooms, as a result their emotions are similarly bottled up. It is therefore important to address mental health related issues,” he said.