National guidelines for stroke or paralysis treatment launched

The launching ceremony of Sri Lanka’s first national guidelines for the treatment of stroke or paralysis was held on Wednesday under the patronage of Health and Industry Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, at the auditorium of the new building of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo (UCFM Tower).

In the future, these guidelines have been prepared to consolidate all important aspects of stroke care services in Sri Lanka and to promote technical understanding among medical administrators responsible for organising and managing patient care services and clinical specialists responsible for the subject of treatment.

This enables physicians, nurses, paramedics, trainees and stroke care providers to plan treatment services based on the type of treatment and services to be provided to people with stroke and the desired outcomes. It can also be used as an educational tool.

Deputy Director General (Medical Services) of Health Ministry Dr. G. Wijesuriya and his team has compiled this national guideline.

At this occasion, Dr. G. Wijesuriya presented this national guideline to the Health Minister, and the facility of obtaining information needed by all stakeholders related to stroke treatment and services in Sri Lanka through the online system was also started here. Further details on this could be obtained by visiting the website http://www.health.gov.lk/.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in adults worldwide and is the leading cause of disability among the elderly. About one in four people have a chance of having a stroke in their lifetime. Ten out of 1,000 people in this country suffer from stroke but are able to save their lives. If a person suffers from a stroke, 20 percent of them are at risk of dying within a year of the condition and 50 percent of such patients suffer from physical or mental, visual, speech or balance related problems.

In the preparation of this guide, neurologists Dr. Padma Gunaratne, Samir Mohideen, Professors of Neurology, Tasi Chang, Professor Jitangi Wanigasuriya, physiologist Dr. Sarath Gamini de Silva worked as the editorial board and the advisory board On behalf of the Health Ministry as well as the Institute of Specialist Doctors in the field of Health, the Institute of Doctors, Medical Associations, Suva Sariya Foundation, Social Services Department, experts and scholars have contributed.

Minister Pathirana said that he appreciates the clinical, medical administration and professionals from all sectors who worked with their unstoppable dedication and dedication to prepare this guide.

“On behalf of stroke treatment services in Sri Lanka, we would like to express our special thanks to all those who have contributed to establish the recommendations shown in this national guideline and to promote those services.

Twenty five years ago, we as medical students engaged in clinical studies on neurological diseases and we remember the special care given by specialist Dr. Padma Gunaratna regarding stroke treatment. He said that we are one of the fastest aging countries in Asia as well as in the world.”

The Minister commented, “Even though communicable diseases are decreasing, non-communicable diseases have turned into an increasing problem among us, which has arisen with the problem of aging of the population. Accordingly, in terms of health, we have to bear more burdens due to diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and strokes.

Finding solutions to these problems is something that should be done with the contribution of all relevant parties. That is, the Health Ministry, specialist medical departments, technical departments, as well as the general public and community participation must give the necessary commitment for this.”

Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Additional Secretary Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga, Public Health Specialist, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Padma Gunaratne, Neurologist, Deputy Director General (Medical Services) G. Wijesuriya, Deputy Director General ( Dental Services) Dr. Ananda Jayalal, Director (Medical Services) Dr. Priyantha Karunaratne, Medical Administrators representing hospitals and medical institutes, scholars representing the contributing universities, specialists and doctors participated in this event.

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