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College of Surgeons looks back and into the future with pride as they mark a 50-year journey
They care, they have cared in the past and they will care in the future – times may be doubly arduous due to the pandemic, but it has not stymied the efforts of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka (CSSL) from going beyond the call of duty to its patients.
This is what uplifts the spirits of those gathered at College House, the beautifully re-furbished legacy of legendary Dr. Noel Bartholomeusz and his wife Nora, off Independent Avenue, Cinnamon Gardens, on the rainy evening of Wednesday (November 24).
CSSL President Prof. Srinath Chandrasekera addressing the event
Surgeons old and young have downed their scalpels and laparoscopes to witness the making of history at the hybrid inauguration ceremony celebrating the college’s golden jubilee as well as the Sri Lanka Surgical Congress 2021.
The ceremony, steered by CSSL President Prof. Srinath Chandrasekera and his council, was the epitome of elegant simplicity and was held in the charming auditorium with a rich red backdrop and muted decor.
On the stage to cheer and support the local surgeons were representatives from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (UK), and also colleagues from India, Pakistan and Malaysia. The SAARC Surgical Care Society was represented by its President Prof. M.D. Lamawansa.
The Sri Lanka Surgical Congress was co-hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for the 10th consecutive year and the SAARC Surgical Society since 2005.
The chief guest at the inauguration was Senior Surgeon Prof. A.H. Sheriffdeen, while the book ‘The History of Surgery in Sri Lanka’ by another Senior Surgeon Prof. Channa Ratnatunga was also launched.
The good news for patients came from Prof. Chandrasekera – for all those in any corner of the country doubled up in agony due to kidney stones, on the cards is a model free-care referral centre to be established at the Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital, Seeduwa.
“To be built through philanthropic contributions, people can undergo kidney stone surgery here in the near future without suffering in silence on long waiting lists. Initial funding, approvals and plans have been confirmed. This project will provide the infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology for surgeons from different parts of the country to treat kidney stone patients,” promised Prof. Chandrasekera to whom this is a disease very close to his heart, being a Consultant Urological Surgeon.
Taking into account the large number of people who are either succumbing or getting maimed due to accidents and trauma, the CSSL has embarked on a 10-year plan to assist the state in the further development of trauma-care services.
“Significant progress has been made with this initiative and numerous improvements in policy and governance proposed by the CSSL have been accepted by the Health Ministry for implementation,” said Prof. Chandrasekera, appreciating the support and collaboration of the Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena and the World Health Organization (WHO).
It was with much pride that he declared that the CSSL has grown to a membership of over 600 in five decades and contributed to the development of all internationally recognized specialties and sub-specialties. “We have been able to retain the vast majority of the specialists over the last 3-4 decades which is reflective of the healthy working culture in the national health system.”
These surgeons are from all 10 main branches of urology; orthopaedics; neurosurgery; paediatric surgery; cardiothoracic surgery; plastic surgery; onco-surgery (cancer surgery); vascular surgery; gastro-enterology; and general surgery.
Casting his eye around the CSSL’s home, he says that they have restored College House to its past glory, refurbished the auditorium to serve as a top-class conferencing and educational hub and constructed a new building to commemorate the Golden Jubilee. This will house the surgical museum and library.
“The CSSL embarked on a digitization programme which includes high fidelity virtual conferencing facilities, upgrading of the website and commissioning of all new ‘CSSL apps’ which will enable our members to interact more effectively,” he said.
Pointing out that an accreditation and exit examination process for different specialties within surgery has been a long-felt need for Sri Lanka’s surgical fraternity, he said that the CSSL took on a new challenge and initiated an ‘Exit Certification’ programme this year which is compatible with international standards and quality. The pilot examination will be conducted in December 2021, with plans for expansion across all specialties.
Saluting the efforts of surgeons across the country who continue to provide the best possible service under challenging circumstances, ensuring the safety of patients and health workers, as with the rest of the world, Sri Lanka suffers severely due to the pandemic, Prof. Chandrasekera looks to the future.
“The CSSL will continue to strive to maintain a culture of quality and standards and compassionate services to the needy,” he added.
| Important MoUs A confidence-booster in the CSSL was the renewal of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another decade with UK’s Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. The MoU was signed by Prof. Rowan Parks, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Prof. Jackie Taylor, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Meanwhile, a new MoU was signed by the CSSL with the College of Surgeons of Malaysia. | |
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