Sri Lanka is very proud of its health record - major advances, as in the west, have seen the infant and maternal death rates plummet. Communicable diseases are under control and measures are being taken to deal with non-communicable diseases.
Take, however, the heart-rending cases of infertility in the country. One in seven couples is infertile and unlike in the distant past when they suffered in silence, facing agonising stigmatization, the introduction of genetic testing as a routine part of infertility assessment, allows them to get the correct treatment and walk away happily with a baby.
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| Prof. Rohan Jayasekera |
Dr. Vajira Dissanayake |
It could come in the form of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), but did you know that 10-20% of infertile couples have chromosome abnormalities as well as so-called normal chromosome variants which prevents them from having a baby? So why should they undergo unnecessary procedures like IVF not only suffering heartache but also spending huge amounts of money when a simple genetic test would diagnose their problem and help guide them in the right direction - that of getting a sperm, egg or embryo donation or adopting a baby.
Genetic testing is very specific, stresses Prof. Rohan W. Jayasekara, Director of the Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo explaining that it is custom-made.
That is why the Human Genetics Unit is striving hard to make such testing widely available not only to a privileged few in Colombo or those from the outstations who find their way with much difficulty to this hub, but to all across the country.
It is with this vision that the Human Genetics Unit launched two Master of Science courses in Clinical Genetics and Genetic Diagnostics, at a simple but important ceremony during the Sri Lanka Medical Association sessions on June 4, 2010.
These courses, to be conducted jointly by the Human Genetics Unit and the Institute of Genetics, of the University of Oslo will introduce and sustain a pool of highly-skilled and competent specialists in these two sub-specialities of human genetics, according to Prof. Jayasekara.
Already though the PhD programme of the Human Genetics Unit does so in "little packages" it had been Prof. Jayasekara's dream, since the birth of the unit 27 years ago, to expand the production of specialists in this vital field of modern medicine.
With the idea to launch the M.Sc programmes being mooted by his colleague and Medical Geneticist Dr. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake, in 2008, the work started in earnest and plans became a reality with NORAD offering over Rs. 100 million as an outright grant to help develop and sustain the course as well as the students selected for the course. In fact the 20 students in each batch receive a full scholarship of nearly 1 million rupees to cover their fees, and a handsome monthly allowance of nearly Rs. 30,000/- to help them follow the course without any financial worries. There is no other postgraduate programme of its kind in Sri Lanka.
“We would like to invite doctors committed to caring for people with genetic disorders to join the Clinical Genetics course and Science Graduates committed to a career in laboratory medicine to join the Genetic Diagnostics course,” says Prof. Jayasekara. The Genetic Diagnostics course is also open to doctors as well. They are assured of top quality training at the highest international level by a team of local and international academics.
Explaining that though individually genetic disorders are rare, Prof. Jayasekara cites the "heavy overheads" on the health system by genetic diseases such as thalassaemia. "Sri Lanka has 2,000 patients with thalassaemia and treatment for each patient costs Rs. 1.7 million annually, with the total treatment costs taking up 7.5% of the national health budget. Eighty new babies are born with thalassaemia every year in the absence of an effective genetic prevention programme," he states.
Currently, there are only a few medical geneticists for the whole country, hindering the maximum use of the advances in understanding the genetic-basis of disease, the Sunday Times learns, which lacuna the Master's courses are hoping to overcome.
Through this programme, batches of geneticists armed with state-of-the-art training will go to the far corners of the country to help people take on the challenges of the post-genomic era and improve their quality of life by understanding their genes.
With a pool of top scientists and doctors, both Prof. Jayasekara and Dr. Dissanayake hope to make Sri Lanka No. 1 in genetics in Southeast Asia.
You can vie for the 20 places
The Human Genetics Unit is inviting all those who have secured an MBBS either in Sri Lanka or abroad to vie for the 20 places divided equally between the Master's programmes for Clinical Genetics and Genetic Diagnostics which will begin in August.
"To attract the cream, we are offering each student a Rs. 30,000 per month stipend during the two-year course," said Dr. Dissanayake, adding that they will also get funding to travel to conferences and for research projects in Oslo, Norway. Four seats will be for Nepalese students as the Human Genetics Unit has tied up with the National Academy of Medical Sciences there, it is learnt.
Please see www.hgucolombo.org for more details on the courses, for which the closing date is June 30, 2010.
Fashion and drag show
'Rainbow Runway' a fashion and drag show presented by Equal Ground, takes place at the Galadari Hotel today, Sunday, June 20. Performances lined up for the night include Magic Box Mixup, the 'Akasa Kusum' performers, the De Silva's: Jerome, Nigel and Tarja, and the Flamer-Cladera's: Rosanna and Tami.
The show is part of the month-long Colombo PRIDE 2010 celebrations which includes the Rainbow Kite Festival, the Pride party, a stage play 'Leave a light on me' and an art and photo exhibition. Tickets for Rainbow Runway are on sale at the Ticket Shop, at 113, 5th Lane, Colombo 3 or through ticketslk.com.
Dr. Balaji, honoured for outstanding contribution in dentistry
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| The Annual Conference (APDC) of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation - Asia Pacific Regional Organization (APDC/APRO) was held in Colombo recently. Dr. S.M. Balaji, well known surgeon, was honoured for outstanding contribution to the field of dentistry and was presented an award by President, Asia Dental Federation Dr. Prasad Amaratunga (Sri Lanka). The Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, Dr. Oliver Hennedige (Singapore), and the Vice President of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, Dr. Bhagawant Singh (Punjab) are also the picture. |
Remembering a pioneer in rice research
By D. Senadhira
On June 18, the heavyweights of Sri Lankan Agricultural Research converged on the Rice Research Station at Batalagoda to honour the memory, and more importantly draw inspiration from, a pioneer in the field of rice research Dr. Modestus Fernando Chandraratna whose 100th birth anniversary was marked that day.
They also remembered a special club of dedicated and brilliant scientists who had contributed immensely to this field -Chandraratna, Abeyratna, Panabokke, Fernando, Weeraratna, Pieris, Senadhira, Ilangakoon et al, sadly too numerous to be mentioned here.
Dr. M.F. Chandraratna was born in 1910 and graduated from Colombo University College in 1932 with B. Sc (Hon.) in Botany. He went on to the University of London and obtained his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and Pathology and also the diploma of the Imperial College of Science and Technology.
Beginning his career in the Research Division of the Department of Agriculture, based at Peradeniya, he was actively engaged in rice research, particularly on genetics and breeding. He initiated rice varietal improvement research beginning with pure-line selection of local varieties followed by a systematic hybridization programme. Concurrently, he pioneered genetic studies on photoperiod sensitivity in rice.
Dr. Chandraratna's most creative contributions in the field of rice genetics and breeding were made during the period from 1951 to 1956 when he held the post of botanist and senior research officer with the Department of Agriculture.
From 1956 to 1960, Dr. Chandraratna was the Director of Agriculture, Sri Lanka and was responsible for formulation and execution of agricultural research, extension, education and development programmes. He established an island-wide breeding programme, where environmental variations were considered in developing rice varieties. In view of his special standing he was the first Sri Lankan to be appointed to the newly created chair of Professor and Head, Department of Agriculture of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.
Dr. Chandraratna published over 60 papers on breeding, genetics, agronomy, physiology, and pathology. His book, "Genetics and Breeding of Rice" (1964) provided the most exhaustive account of rice improvement techniques and their underlying genetical theory and a survey of genetic studies on cultivated rice.
After retirement, Dr. Chandraratna was associated with The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank and other donor agencies in rice research and development projects in the Philippines, Iraq, Malaysia, Guiana, Surinam and Sri Lanka.
In recognition of Dr. Chandraratna's eminence in the field of agricultural research, the British Government awarded him the Membership of the British Empire and the British Empire Medal in 1952.
Holy Family Convent to hold stamp exhibition
The third Stamp Exhibition organized by the Familian Philatelic Club will be held on June 23 and 24 at the Green Hall, Holy Family Convent, Colombo 4.
The Chief Guest at the prize giving to be held on June 23 will be Mr. Harsha Rupasinghe, a former member and editor of the Philatelic Society of Sri Lanka.
Holy Family Convent, Colombo, was the first girls’ school to hold a stamp exhibition way back in 2003 to mark the centenary of the school, during which a stamp and a first-day cover depicting the school were issued by the Postal Department. The second stamp exhibition followed in 2005, with other schools participating both times.
In this third exhibition, there will be many stamp collections as well as colourful posters about stamps. For those who wish to exhibit their knowledge on stamps, the Familian Philatelic Club will have quizzes on both days.
All schools are invited while the general public may view the exhibition on June 23 from 10 a.m. and June 24 from 2 p.m. People may enter the premises from the Marine Drive gate of the school.
Monk goes to Germany on Dharmaduta work
Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhitha left for Germany on June 14 to engage in Dharmaduta work as resident monk of the Berlin Vihara (also known as Das Buddhistische Haus). Ven. Santharakkhitha's visit is being sponsored by the German Dharmaduta Society founded by Asoka Weeraratna in 1952.
Ven. Santharakkhitha is a member of the Dhammarakkhitha Chapter of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya in which Chapter he obtained his Upasampada (Higher Ordination).
He graduated with first class honours and did his post -graduate studies at the Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya. His thesis was entitled 'How to control emotions in Buddhism'. Ven. Santharakkhitha also has a Diploma in Buddhist Studies from the Buddhist and Pali University, Sri Lanka.
Evening of Nurthi and Nadagam songs
Nissanka Diddeniya will present a musical evening comprising Nurthi and Nadagam songs of yesteryear in aid of the University of Peradeniya Science Alumni Association at the John de Silva Memorial Hall, Colombo 7 on June 23 at 6.30 p.m.
Nissanka Diddeniya, Rodney Warnakula, Anton Jude, Gamini Ambalangoda, Anula Bulathsinghala, Rathna Lalani Jayakody and other artistes will perform to the music of Ranjith Balasuriya.
Proceeds of the show will be for the welfare of the Science Faculty of the University of Peradeniya and the association activities. Prof. V. Kumar, President of the association invites all alumni to attend.
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