Their very own place to spend the day
It is a Saturday morning and in a green haven proudly showing off bright flowers in all their beauty across De Silva Road from the bustling Colombo South (Kalubowila) Teaching Hospital, several boys are concentrating on some tasks. One is completing a jigsaw puzzle and another is making a picture out of rolled up paper in pink, green, blue, orange, purple and yellow, while their mothers look on. Fast forward to Monday and adults engage in similar activities.
Home away from home for both adults and children. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
A first in Sri Lanka established outside a state hospital, this is a Day Centre for men, women and children with mental health issues and is very much a part of the Kalubowila Hospital. It has been designed free of charge by architect Pamoda Hewagamage. Opened in June last year, it is the ‘baby’ of Consultant Psychiatrists who run the Health Ministry’s ward and the Professorial Unit of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, both at the Kalubowila Hospital.
“The Day Centre is a rehabilitation centre for mentally ill patients. They spend the day here,” says Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Dasanthi Akmeemana, explaining that assessments of these patients are also carried out here. It is a home away from home from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days of the week for these patients, with Saturday being for children.
She points out that the patients are eager to come here because it is not within the hospital, even though it is very much a part of the hospital.
Opened with the full support of Kalubowila Hospital Director Dr. Asela Gunawardena, the “joint effort” is working very well.
The two teams working in tandem for the benefit of around 50 patients registered here are the Health Ministry’s Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Akmeemana and Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Ruchira Goonawardena, Medical Officer (Psychiatry) Dr. Primrose Lokuvithana and minor staffer K.R. Dasanayake and the Professorial Unit’s Chair Prof. Samudra Kathriarachchi and Head Dr. Jayamal de Silva, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Yasodha Rohanachandra and Medical Officer (Psychiatry) Dr. Lasantha Senaratne.
The other members are the vital Psychiatry Nurses L.D.J. Gamage and Sonali Kankanamage; Occupational Therapists N. Thileepan (who is in charge) and B.A.I.S. Rathnayake; and social worker Daisy Sudusinghe.
Dr. Dasanthi Akmeemana
Recreational activities are part of the day's timetable (above and below)
The former Head of the Professorial Unit, Dr. Dulshika Waas, had been supportive when setting up the Day Centre. Life skills vital for daily living are imparted to all those who come to the Day Centre, Dr. Akmeemana tells MediScene, explaining that the adults who come here have schizophrenia, depression, bipolar affective disorder, dementia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Those addicted to alcohol, smoking and other substances also access the facilities being provided here. The children, meanwhile, have learning disabilities including dyslexia, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Referring to schizophrenia, Dr. Akmeemana says that it can turn into a “crippling” disease where the person finds it difficult to socialize and adjust to the environment. As such he/she cannot hold down a job.Schizophrenia is considered a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. There could be a combination of hallucinations, delusions and extremely disordered thinking and behaviour that impairs daily functioning.
She says that at the Day Centre they go through a daily routine including brushing their teeth and washing their face. Usually, in their homes the children would be spoon-fed by the parents with all these tasks, but here they are encouraged to do them alone, instilling some independence in them.
There is a time-table which starts off with all of them performing their individual religious rituals followed by training for living, horticulture, rehabilitation for those addicted to alcohol, smoking or other substances, elderly care and group therapy. They also make their own tea, simple life skills which many take for granted.
Another important feature is carer-education for all those who are looking after these people in their homes.
Many adults walk in once or twice a week and those who access the facilities range in age from 6 years to 80 years, MediScene understands.
There are many volunteers who have extended their services to the Day Centre, with dress-making fixed for Wednesday, cookery for Friday and music therapy throughout.
They cook tasty food such as biriyani in the kitchen which is part of the Day Centre and enjoy the meal themselves, while there is a sewing machine and also musical instruments including a guitar, organ, tabla, bongos and tambourine for the music therapy sessions.
On other days, when no meal is cooked, the patients are at liberty to get a delicious meal provided at Jana Posha free of charge by Dammika Motors daily to all those attending the hospital clinics, across from the hospital’s main gate.
An array of plants adds to the serenity of the centre
Horticulture activities as everything else seem to be thriving, with the garden having a profusion of plants. Crotons, ferns, anthuriums, orchids, and colourful primroses add to the serenity of the Day Centre.
A helping hand is always welcome
Two welfare societies are working for the benefit of the Day Centre.
They are Chitta Suwa Arana Welfare Society (Account No. 337200130007759 at the People’s Bank) and Mana Suwa Piyasa (Account No. 101150133647 at the National Savings Bank) and generous donors could lend a helping hand.