Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
We are the hub for medical tourism!
In Colombo on Thursday, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told the Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ Association that medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular in the world and that Sri Lanka could become a top medical tourism destination.
He was of course basing himself on the growth of tourists visiting the country for its multiplicity of indigenous medical solutions: Ayurveda, Unani and traditional ‘Sinhala Vedakam’. Can this success be repeated by the Western medicine sector?
Medical tourism is indeed a fast-growing industry. Rather than deal with inflated health costs in the developed countries, some companies pay employees to take ‘medical vacations’ in countries where procedures are cheaper and savings of up to 80 percent are possible.
The growing importance of this industry was underlined by the US $ 134 million-grossing hit film ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, the premise of the plot of which was the outsourcing of medical care to that country.
However, a foreign expert told this writer that Sri Lanka would find it difficult to compete in the outsourced medical procedure market because the health care sector here compared unfavourably with competitors such as India and Panama.
Private hospitals
The government health care sector, being free, is flooded with patients far beyond its capacity, the more affluent overspill providing the private sector with its customers. However, there is little difference between state and most private sector hospitals, except that the latter charge the patients and tend to be air conditioned.
 |
|
Ayurveda
treatment
|
Consider, for instance, an acquaintance’s recent odyssey in a leading private hospital. Being in considerable pain, he paid for and ‘channelled’ a specialist physician, receiving the first place on the list.
He duly received a text message on his mobile telephone, reminding him of the time of the appointment. Half an hour before the appointment was due, he telephoned the hospital and asked whether the doctor was on time. He was told to telephone later. Instead, he travelled to the hospital.
Arriving ten minutes early, he asked the reception if the doctor was on time, to be told they did not know, but to go upstairs and wait. Going upstairs, he asked the desk there what time the doctor would arrive and was told he was on his way and to take a seat.
Hoping to get a seat near the consulting room, he asked for the room number. He was told that the room would be allocated only after the doctor arrived. Resigning himself, he informed the desk he was first on the list and sought a chair.
Consultation room
The number of patients waiting to see doctors was greater than the number of seats. Consequently, he found somewhere to sit with difficulty. Forty minutes after the appointment was due, he went to the desk and asked when the doctor was expected. ‘Soon’ he was told, but no room had been allocated. He went back to his seat but, lo! Somebody else had occupied it.
He then went downstairs to make a complaint, to find the reception deserted! Locating the ‘complaints and suggestions’ register, he wrote his complaint, that (a) he was a patient, ergo sick and (b) he was a paying customer, ergo in a contractual relationship with the hospital; hence he should not be treated as a member of a bovine species.
As he finished, the public address system announced that the doctor had arrived (one hour after the due time) and gave the consultation room number.
Making his way to the consultation room, he found another patient with the doctor. Returning to the upstairs desk, he asked why, when he had reminded them before going downstairs that he was first in the queue, they had allowed another patient to go in. They phoned around and then told him to go in and meet the doctor.
Returning the consultation room, he found the doctor examining the earlier patient. Embarrassed, he explained what had happened, and the doctor said he would be seen immediately after the current patient.
Having seen the doctor, he took his prescription down to the hospital pharmacy, to be told that one of the drugs was not available. On his request, they telephoned the pharmacy of another hospital of the same group to find out if the medicines were available there, and told him they were.
The long-suffering acquaintance then went to the second hospital’s pharmacy, where he was told one of the prescribed medicines was not available, but that they had informed the staff of the first pharmacy of this when they telephoned!
This invalid’s anabasis was in a rather expensive private hospital, not in a government one - in which he would have been treated free. He had paid for every service, but the hospital did not keep its side of the bargain, treating him, a patient in pain, abominably.
Waiting patients
This experience is not exceptional, but typical of the treatment meted out to patients in private hospitals. The problem lies not with the medical staff (although it should be mentioned that almost every doctor is late for appointments) but with the administration. The hospital’s mechanism for keeping the patients informed is abysmal: in this case, mobile texting could have been used to inform the patient that the doctor would be delayed.
Staff on the customer interface are, frankly, untrained and incompetent. The number of seats provided for waiting patients is grossly inadequate. The toilets are unhygienic. All told, the managerial arrangements are far below par with the medical ones.
There may be excellence in nursing and medical care, but this is not sufficient to offset organisational inadequacies, particularly where they affect the patient.
Sri Lankans will put up with an awful lot, and bad treatment in hospitals is one of them. It is because they do not complain that the service is so bad. However, people from developed countries have much higher levels of expectation. If they are to be attracted to this country for medical tourism, the private hospitals had better shape up.
New products of SLDC
New Products
Among the wide range of products manufactured by the company, for the global, regional, as well as the local market are the Standardized, Quality assured, Generic Ayurvedic preparations. With international quality standards as its goal the company has developed a dedicated framework and infrastructure that is unique to the country.
Herbal Wine- We produce five of its most prestigious herbal wines using traditional herbs.
- Wine Range : Ashwa dandha, Dasamoola, Draksha, Chandana & Pippali
Madhuka Herbal Cough Syrup- Excellent Remedy for Common Cough, Cold and Sore-throat.
- Dosage : Adult - 2 teaspoons 3 times a day.
- Dosage : Children - 1 teaspoons 3 times a day.
Gajabala- Specially recommended for Diabetes Melitus and all ailment of the Genitourinary System, Skin Diseases, Restorative and Aphrodisiac.
- Dosage : 1/2-1 teaspoonfull with milk
Pas Panguwa- Bring speedy relief for influenza, headache, fever and body aches.
- Dosage : Adult - 1 packet twice a day.
- Dosage : Children - 1 packet thrice a day.
Dharani - Memory Booster- Specially prescribed for memory enhancement and added physical power. Richer voice and better eye sight.
- Dosage : Adult - 1 - 2 teaspoon twice a day.
- Dosage : Children - 1/2 -1 teaspoon once a day.
Maha Shanka Vati
- Useful in all digestive disturbances including Loss of Appetite, Gastritis, Fever, Anaemia, Cures colic, Rheumatism, Oedema Gout and Piles.
- Dosage : 1-2 pills with warm water or suitable accompainiment.
AYURVEDA MEDICAL COUNCIL
AYURVEDA MEDICAL COUNCIL
This is constituted under section II (I) of Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 as amended by Ayurveda (Amendment) Law No. 7 of 1977. The Act provides for a Council of a maximum of 18 members consisting of ex-officio president of the Council. The Registrar who also functions as the Secretary to the Council is appointed by the Council itself.The Ayurvedic Medical Council is the authority responsible for
The members for the time being of the Council form a body corporate with the name of “The Ayurvedic Medical Council”. The Council has perpetual succession and the right to sue and be sued. It may acquire and hold any movable or immovable property and enter into contracts.Of the functions assigned to the Council, the most important is the registration of Ayurvedic practitioners. The Ayurveda Act. No. 31 of 1961 provides that only a registered Ayurveda practitioner is entitled to use the title “Vaidyacharya” (physician) and only such a practitioner is legally or duly qualified to practice Ayurvedic medicine. Any person who, not being a registered Ayurvedic practitioner, practices for gain Ayurvedic medicine shall be guilty of an offence.
Vision
Make Ayurvedic Medical Council the Apex body of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka equipped with all required facilities
Mission
Protect the legal foundation necessary for qualitative development of the Ayurvedic field, providing maximum service to the public through Ayurveda under professional ethics
Purpose
Confer the legal authority on professionals who have the knowledge, attitudes, skills and experience necessary to provide qualitative services in the field Ayurveda in accordance with provisions of the Ayurveda Act No.31 of 1961
Objectives- Continue in force as a Body of Persons established in accordance with the provisions of the Ayurveda Act
- Confer the authority to determine the professional competency in the field of Ayurveda and to engage in the profession.
- Maintain the quality of professional conduct which is necessary to fulfill Ayurveda services and to maintain the required social response.
- Provide necessary facilities to fulfill the measures consistent with above objectives and to constitute the institutional structure duly.
- Provide Mobile Services at District level through ‘Hela Veda Ruwanara IV’ programme.
- Conduct awareness programmes for professionals and institutions relevant to the field of Ayurveda
- Implement programmes in regard to current issues and for the promotion and development of the field of Ayurveda
Indigenous Medical Board established in 1928 on a recommendation made by a Sub Committee of the state Council of 1927 was the first legally authorized establishment in the Sri Lankan Ayurvedic field. Subsequently the Ayurvedic Medical Council was established in terms of the Ceylon Ayuveda Medical Council Ordinance No. 46 of 1935 was re-established under the provision of the Indigenous Medical Council Ordinance No. 17 of 1941 (amended by No. 49 of 1945 and No. 49 of 1949) The Ayurveda Medical Council functioning how is an organization established under the Ayurveda Act No.31 of 1961. In terms of Section (I) of Part III therein, this council comprise the following.
Commission of Ayurveda.
Director of the Indigenous Institute of Medicine, Colombo .
Two member selected from among the teachers of the Indigenous Institute of Medicine in Colombo by teachers of the institute.
One member selected from among the teachers of each approved Ayurvedic Educational Institute by such teachers.
There members selected by registered Ayurveda physicians from among them
Number of persons not exceeding ten in number appointed by the Minister ad follows
To make recommendations to the Minister as to whether any institute of teaching Ayurveda should be approved by the Minister for the purposes of the Act,
To register names of persons as Ayurveda Practitioners,
To register names of persons as Ayurveda Dispensers,
To register names of persons as Ayurveda Nurses,
- Not more than three members from persons who are not registered Ayurveda physicians
- Three persons to be appointed from among 10 persons nominated by the All Ceylon Ayurveda Physicians Federation
- At least two persons from among the Ayurvedic physicians who are registered but not members of the All Ceylon Ayurvedic Physicians Federation
PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS - Department of ayurveda
PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS
YEAR 2012
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of New vehicle garage at Department of Ayurveda, Navinna, Maharagama.
FLOOR AREA 2, 120.00 Sq.ft
SCOPE OF WORK Open Garage made out of steel structural members and roof included with a service
station for vehicles
CURRENT SITUATION Completed the Tender calling and Evaluation is in progress
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of Stage II at Ayurvedic Hospital, Borella.
FLOOR AREA
SCOPE OF WORK
CURRENT SITUATION Renewal of Aggrement with the consulting firm is in progress
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed ward complex at Ayurvedic Hospital, Yakkala.
FLOOR AREA 80 Perch
SCOPE OF WORK 10 Storied building, consisting of vehicle parking facility, Drug manufacturing unit,
Clinics, office, Bikshu wards, Children wards , Womens wards, Panchakarma treatments,
etc.
CURRENT SITUATION Designing of Project is in progress
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed Doctors Rest Rooms, Ayurvedic Hospital, Kaithady
FLOOR AREA 580.00 Sq.ft
SCOPE OF WORK Single storied building with Varendah, Resting room and Bed room for male and Fe-male
doctors seperately
CURRENT SITUATION Completed the Tender calling and Evaluation is in progress
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed Traditional Ayurvedic Hospital Complex at Mihintale
FLOOR AREA
SCOPE OF WORK ayurvedic hospital complex with all ayurvedic treatments and ward facilities with
mordern features to develop Tourisum
CURRENT SITUATION Designing of Project is in progress
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed New 5 Storied Panchakarma building at Bandaranayake
Memorial Reaserch Hospital, Navinna.
FLOOR AREA
SCOPE OF WORK 5 Storied buildign with Panchakarma Treatment centre and Research labotary
CURRENT SITUATION Designing of Project is in progress
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed Auditorium with Toilet block and canteen at National Institute
for Traditional Medicine
FLOOR AREA 2, 606.00 Sq.ft
SCOPE OF WORK Two storied building with an Auditotium and Canteen with Toilet block
CURRENT SITUATION Completed the Tender calling and Evaluation is in progress- For Stage I
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed Auditorium at Herble Garden , Girandurukotte
FLOOR AREA 2, 606.00 Sq.ft
SCOPE OF WORK Two storied building with an Auditotium and Canteen with Toilet block
CURRENT SITUATION Completed the Tender calling and Evaluation is in progress- For Stage I
PROJECT TITLE
Construction of proposed Kitchen at Herble Garden, Pattipola
FLOOR AREA 2, 142.00 Sq.ft
SCOPE OF WORK Two storied building with Kitchen in Ground floor and Bed rooms in Upper floor
CURRENT SITUATION Completed the Tender calling and Evaluation is in progress- For Stage I
A new Ayurvedic Research Hospital
A new Ayurvedic Research Hospital was opened in Hambantota to mark Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa's birthday on October 30.
Administration of the Ayurvedic Research Hospital will be by the Ayurvedic Department. In recognition of his contribution to Ayurveda, the hospital was named Chamal Rajapaksa Ayurvedic Hospital.
Addressing the opening ceremony Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa praised the service rendered by Minister Dissanayke to the public braving the bullets during a dark era in the country's history.
Minister Dissanayake paying tribute to the Ayurvedic doctors who completed 25 year services said the new hospital contained facilities to treat even foreigners.
He said the Indigenous Medicine Ministry held a workshop for farmers in Hambantota District to introduce organic farming. During the past seasons farmers in Hambantota were able to cultivate without difficulty due to the efforts of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, he said.
Indigenous Medicine Ministry Secretary Lalith Kanangara, Ayurvedic Commissioner Palitha Weerakoon and Hambantota Mayor Eraj Frenando also participated.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Links to Sri lankan ayurvedic sites
Move to develop Ayurvedic vet medicines
:
A comprehensive project to develop ayurvedic medicines for treatment of livestock and pets jointly by Kerala Veterinary University, Kottakkal Ayurveda College and the State government is on the anvil.
A tripartite agreement to launch the project has already been drawn up and sent to the government, Dr Eswara Sarma, Principal of Kottakkal Ayurveda College, sponsored by Kottakkal Aryavaidya Sala, one of country’s most renowned ayurvedic institutions, said.
“This is the first time that a comprehensive attempt is being made in the country to extend ayurveda to the veterinary field. Kerala Veterinary University and the state government have shown keen interest in the venture,” he said.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts have plenty of references to the application of the system in treatment of animals, including elephants, horses and livestock. Over the centuries, however, they failed to be developed in a scientific and systematic manner.
The focus of the project will be to promote research to develop this area in a systematic manner, Dr Sarma said. The research wing of the Ayurveda college would be playing the central role in implementing the project, he added.
Export order for Kothala Himbutu tea
The Ayurveda Drugs Corporation which participated in the Japan-Sri Lanka festival held in Tokyo, Japan has clinched export orders for Herbal Tea made of Kothala Himbutu. Corporation's chairmanSomaweera Chandrasiri said the Corporation has commenced production to honour the first export order for 15,000 packets of herbal tea. It has also planned to establish a new factory for the purpose on a 460-perch block of land received for the purpose.
An allocation of Rs 56 million has been received for the construction of the factory building.
Special Tourist Promotion in Germany
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau launched a successful tourist promotion programme in Germany during the October Festival held in Munich, Germany.
The Festival held in October each year is visited by millions of people not only from various parts of Germany but from many other neighboring countries as well. The Festival was held from September 22 to October 7.
The Embassy organized a poster campaign on 100 taxis displaying wildlife, adventure sports, cultural heritage, ayurveda treatment and beaches of Sri Lanka, from September 15 to October 14. These taxis plied on the roads of Munich day and night with pictures pasted on either side of each taxi which brought higher awareness about Sri Lanka, its nature and beauty.
The Embassy officials said a booklet with facts on Sri Lanka in German language was also distributed along with the taxi road show. According to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Germany is Sri Lanka’s third biggest tourist market and the arrival of German tourists increased by 46 percent in September 2012. (niz)
SL could become top medical tourism destination
Medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular in the world and Sri Lanka could become one of the world’s top medical tourism destinations, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.
He was addressing the 14th annual general meeting of the Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ Association in Colombo yesterday.
Minister Rajapaksa said as there are only a few medical tourism destinations, Sri Lanka can easily become a top medical tourism destination.
“Sri Lanka has already become popular among tourists for it’s high quality indigenous treatments. Therefore ayurvedic doctors have a big responsibility to maintain this progress,” the minister said.
Minister Rajapaksa said under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the government has made a great effort to develop all important sectors to uplift the country’s economy.
The government has given priority to the tourism industry as the world tourism sector has been expanded interconnecting with other fields, he said.
“The government has also taken measures to promote ayurvedic medicine in the country at national level and encourage private sector initiatives. Under the Divi Neguma programme, the government has taken measures to encourage people to cultivate more herbal plants in their home gardens,” the minister said.
Minister Rajapaksa said the government always tried to provide facilities for Ayurvedic doctors and give recognition to their position.
Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers Association chairman, Western Province Ayurvedic Commissioner Nimal Karunasiri requested the government to give equal recognition to both western and ayurvedic medical branches .
“For the first time the government allocated Rs 300 million to carry out Ayurvedic research. There will be a huge demand for Ayurveda treatment in the future. Ayurvedic practitioners render a great service to the country to meet future demands in the field,” the chairman said.
[ http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/11/13/news02.asp]