Growth of the National Hospital-a pride to Sri Lanka

Changing the image of government hospitals:

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

"Growing from strength to strength, it is Sri Lanka's mentor in the health sector and may be the largest Teaching Hospital in the world.

From its humble beginnings at Hospital Street Fort, established way back in 1861 with a bed strength of only 100, now relocated on a 32 acre plot of land at Town Hall extending to the perimeters of Kynsey Road, Regent Street and Ward Place, Colombo to a bed strength of 3000; the National Hospital, Sri Lanka's momentous trace certainly puts Sri Lanka on the map of success in medical accomplishment and advancement," Dr. Hector Weerasinghe, Director, National Hospital Sri Lanka explained in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

"Deviating for a moment from medical jargon and statistics, in reply to my comment on the beautification and tastefully landscaped surrounding of the hospital which I observed on entering, a face lift in the making of a patient-friendly environment, a new concept as good as any of the private hospitals in Colombo; Dr. Weerasinghe explained that this was one aspect he had really concentrated on.

He had embarked on a beautification and landscape project, with the assistance of the Hospital Committee which is being professionally done and expected to be completed within the next two months being a Rs. 3.5 m donation for landscaping. "You will not get lost in this vast entity any longer.

The hospital has been divided into colour zones and sign boards will be displayed at the entrance giving the layout of that area. First impressions count a lot. Psychologically, a beautiful surrounding I believe attributes to almost fifty per cent cure and that was one reason why many opted to go to private hospitals in the past, but now the scenario is different, the National Hospital is being patronized by even the elite.

Moreover, the hospital with its new appeal is geared to treat its citizens of any illness cost free, a feature unique to Sri Lanka."

"Credit should go to the Minister of HealthCare and Nutrition, Nimal Siripala de Silva who during his tenure has contributed a lot towards the public health sector on the whole and posting all expertise especially in the peripheral and increasing the cadre of medical staff all round, from the para medics and MLTs to the attendants and minor staff which has proven the public health sector's medical competence overall".

"The National Hospital, Sri Lanka (which was earlier known as the General Hospital, Colombo and later made National Hospital, Sri Lanka in 1996 by Cabinet Decision) is a fully fledged Hospital with 18 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) recorded a 2 million out patient treatment last year of which 3000 came back to the follow up clinics, the neuro surgical, medical, diabetes, orthopaedic etc.

The National Hospital records approximately 600 in patients a day while last years figures recorded a total of 250,000 in patients on an average length of stay of 5-6 days while the number of operations performed last year amounted to 75,000 of which 1100 were open heart surgeries, and 350 by pass surgeries, the highest number any hospital has ever done.

The target having exceeded by 10. A recent introduction is the Cardio Unit, a section where interventional cardiological procedures amounting to 350-400 are conducted by surgeons relieving patients of going into surgery immediately. However, the frequently asked question is why then the long waiting list for heart surgery.

Data shows that around 2,000 people are born with congenital heart disease per year and procedures have to be cleared in addition to other patients who develop situations subsequently. Nevertheless, operations for a day in the 28 operating theatres amount to 200-300 while the occupancy is about 200-300 per cent in certain wards," Dr. Weerasinghe further explained.

"Of the large number of patients referred the main cause of death in trauma recorded has been due to head injury. In the wake of this situation the director has embarked on a yet another state-of-the-art unit, a centre of excellence in Neuro Surgery, a 300 bed Neuro Trauma Unit with an ICU and operating facilities which is expected to be commissioned in June next year being a loan of $15m from Saudi Fund for development (SFD).

Presently there are two Neuro Surgical Units but these operations are very time consuming and sometimes takes around 10-12 hours per surgery. The Path Lab's significant contribution is also very commendable.

Last year, it has performed over 2m lab test, done over 40,000 CT scan and 4,000 MRI scans investigations while there are four orthopaedic teams with their supportive service to treat around 600 patients at a given time.

A new project with 400 bed Medical Unit, well landscaped, is also in progress as the building in which it is housed is very old and dilapidated. The hospital also requires a new Theatre Complex and Surgical Ward Complex in the near future," he added.

Incidentally, the number of female patients have increased over the years which has compelled the government to allocate equal number of beds for men and women at a cost of Rs. 400 m Dr. Weerasinghe added. Meanwhile, construction on the new OPD Complex will be commence next year.

One of the most important services rendered by the National Hospital is of course the excellent Accident Service (the first in the country which was established in 1965 while the new Accident Service moved in 1990, a donation of the building and equipment from Finland), the prime unit of the hospital treating armed forces and civilians alike.

From trauma victims as a result of sports injuries to injuries due to violence, 80-100 patients are admitted to the Accident Service daily.

Having served as Officer-in Charge of the Accident Service for a decade prior to his appointment as Director, National Hospital, Colombo where he has served for the past seven years, Dr. Weerasinghe is resolute of making the National Hospital Sri Lanka, the largest Teaching Hospital of international repute with state-of-the art technology.

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