Leading healthcare provider Hemas Hospitals shored up its commitment to uplifting the quality and standards of the Sri Lankan medical field by starring as the chief organiser of the symposium of the Perinatal Association of Private Hospitals (PAPH) in Sri Lanka, which was staged on 24 June at the Grand Monarch.
The symposium was structured as a half-day workshop which drew the attendance of about 120 doctors and nurses from 10 different private sector hospitals who were briefed on the latest global perinatal practices. The perinatal period refers to the duration immediately before and after the birth of a child.
The Chief Guest at the event was the Health Ministry’s Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Susie Perera. The other distinguished invitees present at the event included several general managers and directors from reputed private hospitals.
Outlining PAPH’s mission, the organisation’s President Dr. Surantha Perera said that despite Sri Lanka making sizable leaps with its perinatal care, there was still a significant margin for improving care and reducing infant and maternal mortality rates. He added that events such as the recent symposium went a long way in making this happen and thanked Hemas Hospitals for playing such a crucial role in this endeavour.
Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Dilusha Athukorala, who led Hemas’ efforts to organise the event, branded the symposium a resounding success. She revealed that both the presence of eminent participants and free exchange of information had established a precedent which would continue elevating the standards of perinatal care within private hospitals.
PAPH was established in December 2018 as a coalition of the country’s premier private hospitals. Each month after its formation the association held meetings where brief lectures seeking to mend knowledge gaps in perinatal training were conducted. In June, PAPH decided the time was right for an extended symposium with multiple sessions and found a willing partner in Hemas Hospitals.
First established in 2008 with the launch of its pioneering facility in Wattala, followed by a second facility in Thalawathugoda, Hemas Hospitals is one of the most advanced hospital chains in Sri Lanka. It is currently aiming to expand its operations into super-speciality medical and healthcare through the addition of further state-of-the-art facilities aimed at providing an international standard of healthcare at an affordable cost for all Sri Lankans. The organisation provides a wide array of surgical and medical specialties and has established an island-wide network of clinical laboratories.