Prof. Perera’s 3Cs for better healthcare

Soon after her induction as SLMA President, Prof. Perera has set up 10 Action Committees using the talents and strengths of the 44-member SLMA Council to carry forward her vision for the year.

With Prof. Perera’s theme being ‘Connect, communicate, collaborate for improved health and healthcare’, in her Presidential address she highlighted the current challenges and referred to the positive initiatives by the Health Ministry in ensuring universal coverage and patient- centred care.

She also focused on evidence-based strategies available to improve the health of a population through health leadership, inter-professional team work, multi- stakeholder involvement through patient engagement, public-private partnerships and advocacy in policy related to health.

She stated: “More attention is needed on leadership and public policy reforms and this year’s theme tries to focus on these areas. Research has shown repeatedly that higher health outcomes can be achieved through collaboration and communication with all categories of stakeholders.

“We need to focus on developing optimally functional inter-professional teams in our health institutions. They become more responsive to changes, both in immediate patient-care and the health system as a whole. More efficient work output has been reported when people work in teams due to appropriate distribution of tasks. Service delivery and resource utilization tend to be more efficient. Research has also shown that patients are more satisfied and patient safety is ensured. Both the health care team and the patients experience less stress when members of the team are working toward coordinated goals.”

At the Medical Faculty, meanwhile, it is an opendoor policy that Prof. Perera will follow. “Anyone, be it a student or a staff member, minor employee or top Professor, can come to me directly.”