Hemas to start Nurses Training School in Ragama

Hemas Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Sri Lankan conglomerate Hemas Holdings will set up a fully-fledged patient care and nurses training facility in Ragama.

Hemas Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe said," The good work done by the doctors is ably supported by the nurses who have dedicated their lives to patient care services, working tirelessly round the clock, especially in the government sector. Sri Lanka is, however, short of an estimated 24,000 nurses to meet current healthcare requirements, while the existing cadre is stretched, with less than two nurses per 1,000 people.

The key among the reasons for the shortage has been a lack of training facilities and financial backing. Considering these factors, it is our duty as responsible corporates in the healthcare sector, to address these needs and produce well trained nursing professionals who will serve the country."

Hemas Hospitals will initiate a nurses training program conducted by experienced patient care training professionals.

The training will be conducted according to a curriculum approved by the Ministry of Health, formulated according to international standards. The main objective of this training program is to train nurses who are technically sound and with caring personalities.

Commenting on the proposed Nurses Training School, Former Principal of the School of Nursing in Kandana, H. W. Halkevidane said, "It is a very appropriate decision taken by Hemas to set up a Nurses Training School. In the past, nurses were only expected to carry out orders. However, in the present day nurses are more independent and nursing diagnosis is considered a specialised skill.

Former Chief Nursing Officer of the Ragama Teaching Hospital, K. H. Karunachandra said, "It is encouraging to know that the private sector has come forward to assist a dire need of the country. Nurses require a comprehensive training and continuous recollection as they have an enormous responsibility from the point they first meet the patient to the time the patient leaves.

We also need to improve communication between the healthcare staff, the doctors and the patients".