New President for College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka: Dr D. K. D. Mathew
View(s):At a ceremony held on September 12 at Earls Court in Cinnamon Lakeside, newly elected Sri Lanka College of General Practitioners President D. K. D. Mathew said the College was the apex academic and professional body committed to enhance the medical practice of Sri Lanka’s General Practitioners (GPs).
“A GP is the first point of care for anyone of any age in times of physical or mental illnesses,” Dr Mathew said.
“The profession of a GP is not limited to any medical specialty or organ of the body. It covers a variety of medical problems requiring a GP to solve clinical puzzles and make an accurate and timely diagnosis of diseases.”
“A GP’s approach takes into account the spiritual, cultural, social, economical and emotional aspect of the patient, before prescribing treatments. As such, patient management in a highly professional, clinical and ethical standards is important.”
“The life of a GP is an enviable one as it provides professional development, a secure livelihood, comradeship among colleagues and most importantly the joy of healing patients,” he said.
Quoting the Former World Health Organisation Director General Margaret Chan, Dr Mathew said primary health care offers the best way of coping with the ills of life in the 21st century: The globalisation of unhealthy lifestyles, rapid unplanned urbanisation and the ageing of populations.
Dr. Mathew also said with the patient demand for doctors soaring and their needs becoming more complex, the future health service would see an increased demand for GPs with the capabilities and competence to deliver treatments closer to home, thereby reducing the state’s reliance on hospital care.
“The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the way in which the GPs operated, and it is time to go digital and provide unhindered access to patients in terms of advice, treatments, prescriptions and referrals,” Dr Mathew said.
“An expanding general practice will help cope with the growing elderly population who need help,” he added.