IIHRM responds to president’s quest for recognition of healthcare professionals
Adirective from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to address the compelling needs of Sri Lanka’s healthcare workers received a swift response when a leading human resources institution rallied support in initiating an ambitious programme of intervention initiated by Intercontinental Institute of Human Resources Management (IIHRM) Chair Ranjeewa Kulatunga.
The unique Psychological First Aid (PFA) programme for over 300 healthcare professionals was conducted at the IDH, in association with the Health Ministry, this week.
The internationally-recognised peer-support training module was conducted in collaboration with Sensei International and will be expanded and continued as a sustainable healthcare intervention by Contingency Intelligence and Response Agency, a regional thinktank in disaster prevention, mitigation and management.
Famed global training guru Omar Khan led the inaugural PFA programme assisted by Sensei Asia CEO Ranjan de Silva, Sensei Senior Consultant Tanzy Usoof and IIHRM Chief Consultant and Global HR Advisor Ranjeewa Kulatunga, IIHRM Project Director Dr. Marlon Ferreira and IIHRM Consultant Abeypala Hettiarachchi, at the invitation of Director Quarantine Dr. Mahendra Arnold.
Over 300 healthcare professionals received a certificate on completion of the PFA programme from the Sri Lanka Alumni of the world’s largest state sector HR organisation, IPMA-HR.USA supported by IIHE. The participants will now be able to provide invaluable peer support during dynamic events like the rampaging pandemic said IIHE Executive Director and IPMA-HR. USA Alumni in Sri Lanka President Bradley Emerson.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the focus of the importance of conserving our healthcare professionals on the frontlines and IIHRM responded to the president’s rallying call to offer tangible and wellthought-out interventions of wellbeing, which would ensure we not only protect a vital national asset but also shows our deep gratitude for their selfless service, said Kulatunga.
He appreciated the honorary contribution extended by its partner in such state initiatives, Omar Khan Alliance Partner EPL Global and its long-standing local delivery partner, Sensei Lanka. Sri Lanka is blessed to have top-notch personalities such as Khan in Sri Lanka at this time of need and more so his willingness to stay and continue supporting our nation is indeed a rare find and a welcome boost to us all, concluded IPMA-HR. USA Alumni in Sri Lanka Patron and former Education Sri Lanka Additional Director General Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara.
Health professionals and caregivers may seem to put on a brave front but their internal turmoil may not just cost them dearly at personal levels but may also catapult into a national disaster in the face of a dynamic disaster, is now mitigated says IDH Director Dr. Hasitha Attanayake.
The special peer-centric PFA training programme will set the tone for a series of societal interventions in the wake of the COVID-19 with IIHRM and CIRA working in tandem to launch several ground-breaking initiatives in the future, said CIRA Chair Dr. Dinesh Watawana.
Dilmah, CBL Munchee, Ritzbury and Maliban, sponsored generous gift packs for the participants and Keells and LMF sponsored the refreshments at the event whilst the Centre for Gem and Jewellery (CGJ), the event management association, supported by Cooltempo, took on the total logistics support during these difficult times to appreciate the medical professionals – our pride, concluded Kulatunga.