Project to be launched at new Army Hospital tomorrow :

Army gives priority for a healthy workforce

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Army gives priority to keep the workforce in optimum health. With the new trends set in the world in consuming fast food and chaotic eating habits ,disastrous non communicable diseases have begun to creep into the Army's workforce in significant numbers.

The Army as an institution felt the loss of momentum of the workforce in comparison to what it was. To be the pillar of strength for the country at any given time, the Army will put the health of their men right on track.

The new project will be inaugurated at the newly constructed Army Hospital at Narahenpita tomorrow. Using this ultra modern medical facility the Army Medical Corps plans to conduct, the Healthy Army program islandwide, according to Director General (Medical) Major General (Dr.) Sanjeewa Munasinghe. "This new hospital is a gift to the Army for their selfless dedication in serving the country. We hope to use it to the maximum benefit of the officers, soldiers and war heroes as well as family members of all Army personnel," said Maj. Gen. Munasinghe, who is also a consultant radiologist.

As Maj. Gen. Munasinghe explained, the number receiving the health service from the Army is nearly 100,000. "This is a significant percentage of the population and can have a notable effect on the country's health," said Maj. Gen. Munasinghe.

New Army hospital is a gift to the Army for their selfless dedication in serving the country.

The new costruction

Soldiers being taken care of

" We are now focussing on the prevention of non communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol. It is a global phenomenon and has become a problem to the Army to keep our men healthy.

We are trying to identify these hidden diseases. Until it is medically checked these diseases will remain asymptomatic. We will screen all Army personnel over thirty years for high blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar and obesity," he said.

While giving a thought about overall health of the Army, the responsibility for caring of war heroes falls on to the Medical Corps as well. "People think that when the main problem is over and LTTE leader being killed that all the wounds are healed. Over 30,000 Army personnel are with permanent disabilities as a result of the war against terrorism of over thirty years.

Over time they will begin to experience many complications due to these disabilities," said Maj. Gen. Munasinghe explaining the gravity of their responsibility. "For example an Army personnel paralysed below the waist will get problems in the bowels and urinary tract, which is common. Every three months they have to come to the Army Hospital and get a thorough check up. If he has a fracture then he will get complications as age catches on," he said.

This is not the only place where the Army Medical Corp is taking care of war heroes.

At Ranaviru Sevana in Ragama, all three Abhimansalas in Anuradhapura, Kamburupitiya and Pangolla where war heroes with total dependent disabilities are living for the rest of their lives is a great responsibility for the Medical Corp.

At the new Army Hospital alone about 1200 staff including doctors and nurses are serving. "Equipment can be bought but experienced, skilled professionals and are difficult to be found.

We need more of these professionals. There is a huge demand for such professionals and with the opening of this new hospital the demand is more," said Maj. Gen. Munasinghe.

"Yet we are still understaffed," said the Commanding Officer of the Army Hospital, Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Nishantha Pathirana who is also a Consultant Dermatologist. Steps are being taken under the Medical Directorate to increase the number of skilled professionals of the Medical Corp. Generally the OPD turnover is around 100,000 at all times - even during the past.

The Army Nurses Training School has a capacity to train 100 nurses. With this sudden requirement the Army had to negotiate with the Health Ministry to train 200 nurses in Training Schools operated under the Ministry. In three years the Medical Corp hopes to get 300 new nurses. "It is a challenge to work with minimum staff but we are Army personnel and we can take on challenge," said Lt. Col. Pathirana.

Construction work of the complex cost Rs. 3.5 billion while the medical, dental and barrack items amounted to Rs. 1.6 billion. "Expectations of Army personnel is more complicated than before with the opening of the new hospital building," he said.

If it was only the Medical Corp that took responsibility for the caring of war heroes.

The new Army Hospital will be just another additional building carrying out the same duties. Speaking to Architect Major Rajitha and structural engineer Major Shashikala one would get to know the thinking being the design concept of this magnificent building. "The hospital is designed to suit people with disabilities. Starting from the entrance to elevators, toilets and elevations of corridors are designed to suit their needs," said Mjr. Rajitha.

Engineering know how was used while constructing this ten storey building, said structural engineer Maj. Shashikala. This is the first building designed and constructed totally by Army personnel. The new medical concepts inaugurated with the opening of the new Army Hospital will bring a new life not only to the men and women serving in the Army but even to their families and then to the nation as well.

Pix Susantha Abeygunasekera