I take this opportunity to thank you for your support in the past. I’m very proud that we are in a position to provide essential medical needs to our people in the North East of Sri Lanka. In our regular discussions and conversations with the doctors, Allied Health professionals, and Health administrators, we regularly update the ground situation and conditions and we are able to provide most wanted medical support time to time. Our projects have been well scrutinized in selection, progress and delivery.
Last year, Dr. Sujitha Thavabalachandran (Secretary, NSW Branch, AMAF) went to Jaffna with Westmead Hospital Cardiology team to perform very delicate cardiac procedures and donated AUD$300, 000 worth of cardiac stents and pace makers to Jaffna Hospital.
Recently, two of our Junior members went to NorthEast of Sri Lanka to implement `Children Indoor Play area’ projects in Batticoloa, Jaffna, Killinochi and Tellipallai Hospitals. In the future more and more health professionals are planning to visit and will involve in management of patients, training / knowledge transfer and implementation of medical projects.
I can assure you that this year will be another remarkable year in providing and implementing medical projects in NorthEast of Sri Lanka. We have over 10 projects in hand and
the main projects for this year would be:
1. Psychosocial Project – Northern province: aimed at the school students affected by the civil war that ravaged the North East of Sri Lanka over three decades. The children who witnessed the death of members of their family and relatives, destruction of their homes and property, the atrocities during the civil war and oppression by the armed forces of occupation carry the scars of psychological trauma. The project headed by Prof Daya Somasundaram of University of Jaffna Medical College, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with AMAF, is to initially publish a handbook for the teachers, identifying master teachers from every school in the district, train them and in turn use them to train teachers in their respective schools. The aim is to identify students affected by the psychological trauma and initiate therapy which may be school based, community based or with assistance of a psychiatrist or psychologist. The handbook to assist the teachers is in the process of being printed.
Each school will allocate a room called “Mahilaham” where affected students could be interviewed, assessed and receive attention and therapy. This room (Mahilaham) will be furnished with appropriate equipment to provide activities for the students and a place for counselling. AMAF will fund the project with your assistance. We kindly request individuals or old students’ association and Alumni associations to fund for your school and a school in Vanni if possible.
Click here for more information or to donate to this cause
2. School Dental Project in the Mullaitivu District – Our aim is to set up a dental facility in Udayarkattu Maha Vidyalayam where a school dental therapist will be stationed. The dental therapist will identify the students who need dental care in that school and the schools in the district, arrange for their travel to the facility in rotation and attend to their needs. Dental surgeons in the Mullaitivu District will assist and lend a hand. Dental surgeons from Tamil Diaspora who wish to participate could lend a hand by working in the dental facility. As part of the project, AMAF will supply tooth brushes, tooth paste and a timer to Year 1 students in all the schools in Mullaitivu District each term and encourage them to brush their teeth supervised by the teachers during the morning interval. We will hold teacher training sessions once or twice a year to educate teachers on oral hygiene and ways to encourage students to pay attention to oral hygiene.
Click here for more information or to donate to this cause
Please see the download our Souvenir book of 2015 for our projects and visit our website: www.ausmedaid.org.au.
We hope you will continue to donate generously and help us to implement these projects which are going to be ongoing projects for many years to come.
Payment methods: Credit cards (VISA and Master card), Paypal, Direct debt, cash or Cheque.
Do not hesitate to call me if you want more information or to sponsor a project. Please call our team on 1300 990 828 to donate.
Thanking you
Dr. P. Ketheswaran (Kethes) MBBS, FRANXR
Consultant Radiologist
The Chairman, Australian Medical Aid Foundation.
]]>We have had an excellent outcome on our 2015 projects and couldn’t have done it without your help. Project included:
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AMAF had funded the nutritious food program as providing lunch. Since the school started receiving some financial support from the GOSL, we have changed the program to provide breakfast. I wish to thank 2 (anonymous) donors who make regular contribution this projects.
]]>AMAF had commence pre-intern program in 2011 with 6 pre-interns. AMAF now pays salary (Rs. 30,000 per pre-intern per month) to 11 pre-interns to be employed in remote areas of Kilinochi and Mullaithevu districts. These areas are unmanned by government doctors.
A play area is essential for any Paediatric ward where we make the children to forget about the illness and enjoy as much as possible. As you see any of children’s hospitals in Australia, that looks like more than a home for kids. That much of activities and entertainment. AMAF decided to give some of it by building the play area. It has been donated by A Golden Couple in the event of their 50th Wedding anniversary.
]]>Cost: Rs. 5.5 Million
As per request from Dr. Mathy Ambalavanar, and with the recommendation of IMHO-USA, AMAF has funded 1st Automated Blood culture Machine in North East of SL. This machine will give a quick results of any blood infection for immediate and accurate treatment. This avoid complications, the longer wait for patient and free up beds sooner. As you know the patients are seen on bed, floor and corridors of Jaffna Hospital. Dr. (Mrs) Mathy Ambalavanar is committed to provide the service to NOT only the Jaffna hospital, but also to the entire Northern province whenever the service needed.
]]>AMAF funded necessary medical equipment to 2 war affected Vanni hospitals (Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaithevu) and Tellippalai Hospital. In total there were 45 items costed Rs. 4.0 Million
(approximately AUD$39,000)
These equipment will be delivered to those hospitals through the NPC ministry of Health (for their audit).
]]>Following a request from Dr. Malaravan (Ophthalmologist) AMAF agreed to fund the eye clinic of Jaffna hospital. It is indeed a partnership project with Local Rotary club of Kellyville, NSW. AMAF funded 50% of the project.
The project will allow the staff to see double the number of patients each day and this will reduce the waiting list to days, NOT weeks or months. TOPCON company has installed 2 Slit Lamps and 1 Auto Refractory Machine in Jaffna Hospital. The YAG laser and other equipment will be delivered in August 2014. I thank and congratulate Haran for his efforts to combine Rotary club.
The opening ceremony of the new eye clinic is scheduled for 4/10/2014.
I would like to thank Dr. Abirami Yoganathan (collected funds through her Dance academy, ACT) and Johnny and team which ran AGE marathon and collected money for these 2 slit lamps.
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