News
New SLCP head vows not to leave any child behind
View(s):- Will work towards supporting a ‘Drug Policy’ in hospitals and facilitate an Antibiotic Policy for Children with Health Ministry
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi
Children and all matters around them have not just been Dr. Kosala Karunaratne’s “life” since he became a paediatrician, but even long before that. For, as a child himself he used to accompany his father, Dr. Gamini Karunaratne to the premier Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children, Colombo. Now Dr. Karunaratne Junior is a consultant here, having served in Ampara during the war, Nikaweratiya, Puttalam, Chilaw and Horana.
Dr. Kosala Karunaratne
Another unique aspect is that his father too had held the eminent honorary position of President of the Sri Lanka Paediatric Association, the forerunner of the SLCP.
Thus Dr. Karunaratne Junior firmly believes that serving Sri Lanka’s little ones is in his genes…….and his theme for the year is – ‘In the wake of calamity: let no child be left behind’.
While this theme is bound to strike a chord with people from all walks of life, he says that it also encompasses education; nutrition; healthcare delivery including vital aspects such as immunisation, transplantation and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) issues; Safe Communities for Children; the Namaste Project; and also climate change impacts.
At his induction today (July 30) as SLCP’s president, he makes a solemn promise to address these critical issues without delay and subsequently pursue the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) covering children’s welfare.
Revisiting the mission of SLCP, he says it is to advance paediatric care in the country, influence national policy on child care support and sustain continuous professional development of child healthcare personnel, while promoting collaboration among paediatricians.
“Our logo says it all – the silhouette of a child encircled by 24 rose petals representing round-the-clock care by SLCP members and the Pun Kalasa on which the emblem rests surrounded by sheaves of coconut flowers depicting children as the jewels of this island,” says Dr. Karunaratne.
Referring to serious concerns currently with regard to medicines, Dr. Karunaratne says the economic collapse has led to medicine shortages as well as reducing the purchasing power of people. They have less disposable income to spend on healthcare and medications resulting in a decreased demand for drugs. This, in turn, can discourage pharmaceutical companies from supplying drugs to the market due to limited profitability and also import difficulties brought on by foreign exchange issues.
The economic crisis with its dearth of foreign currency reserves, makes it challenging for the government or private companies to pay for imported drugs. This can lead to delays or difficulties in acquiring essential medications, he pointed out, explaining that there could also be local pharmaceutical manufacturing difficulties.
Dr. Karunaratne focuses on how the economic crisis increased the demand for healthcare services with more stress-related illnesses, poor living conditions and limited access to nutritious food, also impacting on drug shortages.
However, the SLCP has not been idle in the face of this crisis, he assures, listing the ‘Medical Donation Project’ under which the college collected funds and donations to meet medicine shortages in hospitals, while checking with the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) for availability and quality.
The new SLCP head along with his council hopes to actively seek partnerships with international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This is to secure grants and donations for drug procurement as well as advocate for increased funding for healthcare, with a stress on earmarking funds for drug procurement. They will also emphasise the need for strict financial accountability measures.
This would not be the only role played by the SLCP, according to him. He has set up a steering committee so that the SLCP can act as a catalyst in promoting a ‘Drug Policy’ in state hospitals.
The mandate of the Drug Steering Committee is to:
Analyse costs and categorise medicines into tiers based on the urgency of the requirement. This will help prioritise the allocation of resources and reduce shortages.
Suggest ways and means of reducing wastage by improving inventory management, proper storage and staff training on appropriate medication usage.
Help set up an Expert Committee comprising professionals from various healthcare disciplines to oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the Drug Policy. This committee would include representatives from medical associations, regulatory authorities and academia.
Another important matter, Dr. Karunaratne is hoping to address is the launch of an ‘Antibiotic Policy for Children’ by the setting up of an ‘Antibiotic Stewardship Committee’ for responsible and evidence-based antibiotic use, at the SLCP. This committee is to work in collaboration with the WHO and the Health Ministry.
In the light of issues with regard to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the SLCP hopes to play an active advocacy role in addressing drug shortages and ensuring regulatory compliance, he said.
Dr. Karunaratne says the SLCP will also look into cadre projections for paediatricians to help the Health Ministry with human resource management, while working towards mitigating drug-related issues, ensuring the availability of essential medicines and improving the healthcare system.
| Induction this evening Dr Kosala Karunaratne will be inducted as the President of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians this evening in Colombo. The Chief Guest at the induction will be Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, Prof Sanath P Lamabadusuriya, and the Guest of Honour, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Prof Vajira H W Dissanayake. | |
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