Students' rush for ECGs perturbs NHSL

by Carol Aloysius

National Hospital authorities said yesterday that they were unable to cope with the rush for ECGs by students wanting to participate in sports events including marathons, and were in the dark regarding any circular insisting that students taking part in sports had to take them ahead of the sports event.

"Our ECG room is equipped with only two machines and two technicians to operate them. We can only carry out 150 ECGs a day in our outpatient clinics.

"We simply can't cope with any extra intake", Deputy Director Accident Service, Dr Cyril de Silva told the Sunday Observer. He said over 50 students visited the OPD to have their ECGs taken.

In addition, an increased number of patients also requested ECGs ahead of the New Year.

He also observed that although the students had told them that they had been instructed by the Education Ministry to have an ECG taken if they wish to take part in a sports event, hospital authorities had not received such a circular.

"Even if there is such a circular, we have informed the Health Ministry to amend it, as we are unable to handle any extra intake of patients, with our limited facilities," he said.

He said physical tests on students prior to a sports event were routinely done at the NHSL OPD.

"By checking their blood pressure, weight and height and examining them for symptoms of any other illnesses, we can see if they are fit for the sports events in which they hope to participate. An ECG is necessary only if the student has a history of cardiac problems or other problem such as asthma or bronchitis which could trigger serious complications while running a marathon for instance," he said.