The International Conference on Health Sciences 2019
An international conference on Health Sciences under the theme of ‘ Steering Horizons: Aspiring Excellence’ organised by the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in collaboration with the Colombo South Teaching Hospital together with Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital and the Base Hospital Homagama was held on the 17th & 18th of October 2019.
The respective conference which had been held on a local platform for the past two decades held its 2nd year International conference gathering with all specialties in Health Sciences as well as in Medicine under one roof thereby bringing together specialists of both local and overseas.
The Faculty of Medical Sciences Oration on ‘Modified Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (mERAS) in Colorectal Surgery: Outcome of Novel Experience in Colorectal Surgery in Sri-Lanka’ was delivered by Dr Bawantha Gamage; A Consultant Surgeon from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.
The keynote speaker of the event was Dr Pubudu Pathiraja. He is a Consultant Gynaecologic Oncological Surgeon from the Oxford Cancer Centre at the Oxford University Hospitals, United Kingdom and he delivered his speech which was based upon information gathered from patients and families on health related to management of gynaecological cancers.
The congress programme included one pre-congress session, three symposia and six oral research sessions. The first symposium on Facets of Health Care with special emphasis on drugs and its rational use and cost was delivered by Prof. Chandanie Wanigatunge and Prof. Asita De Silva. Publishing of research related to health care was dealt by Dr Anita Jain the Clinical Editor of the British Medical Journal.
The second symposium on ‘The Broken Pieces: Picking up and Mending’ concentrated upon holistic approach in ensuring road safety by the World Health Organization Country Representative for Sri Lanka Dr Razia Pendse. Showcasing of the role of Imaging in ‘Management of Trauma’ was by Dr Harsha Dissanayake and ‘Post Traumatic Stress Disorders’ by Dr Jayamal De Silva.
The third symposium was targeted on ‘Patient Care in the Next Decade’ where Prof. Aloka Pathirana spoke on ‘Taming of the Liver’ while Dr Dilhara Samaraweera spoke of a ‘Better Tomorrow for the Silver Generation’. Also a speech on ‘Recent Advances in Cardiothoracic Surgery’ was delivered by Dr Rajitha de Silva while a speech on ‘Challenges in Subfertility and Cutting Edge Fertility Management Options’ was delivered by Dr R Prathapan.
The event being a roaring success was steered by the Chairperson of the Research Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Shamini Prathapan together with her Secretary Dr Varuni Tennakoon and the Conference Chair Dr Manori Gamage, the Treasurer Prof. Guwani Liyanage along with a group of professors and doctors from the Research Committee, under the guidance of The Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge and Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Senior Professor, Surangi Yasawardene.