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Specialist Care Services

Information on the wide range of specialist care services, there history, evolution, future and how to obtain these services..
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Clinic Services

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Other Services

Information on Special units, paramedical units and other ancillary units providing services for the care recipients..

මුල් පිටුව

What is vascular Surgery?

It is the discipline of surgery in which the surgeries of the arteries and veins of the body are done, except of the heart, great vessels of the chest and brain. A surgeon who is specialized in in this discipline is called a vascular surgeon.

What is Transplant Surgery?

The sub speciality of surgery in which the transplantation of organs of the human body done. Main body organs that are transplanted in this speciality are kidney and liver. A surgeon who is specialized in this field is called a transplant surgeon.

What are the surgeries done in a vascular and transplant unit?

    1. Common Vascular surgeries

Arterial -

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm  repair- replacement of a ballooned segment with an artificial graft to prevent rupture.

  • Arterial bypass using autogenous vein or artificial conduits to prevent amputation due to gangrene..

  • Arterial repairs- Due to accidental cuts  injuries, the injured Arteries repaired & saved the limb and the life.

  • Arterial embolectomy- removal of blood clots from within the artery.

  • Arterial endarterectomy  corrective surgery in blocked or narrowed arteries. (eg. Carotid endarterectomy to prevent strokes)

    Venous -
  • Varicose vein surgery.

  • Laser ablation of varicose veins.

    Other surgeries -

  • Arterio- venous fistula(AVF)- construction to enable dialysis in kidney patients.

  • Arterio-venous malformation resection.

  • Excision of Cervical rib.
  1. Transplant surgeries
  • Kidney transplantation.

  • Liver transplantation.

History of the Vascular and Transplant department of NHSL

The vascular and transplant surgical department of NHSL under the auspices of the Ministry of Health  was first initiated in February 2004, with the appointment of Dr. SD Rajamantri, the first surgeon to be trained and certified in the specialty by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo.  

Prior to this, Vascular surgical procedures in the NHSL, then the General Hospital of Colombo, were pioneered by the University Surgical unit under the leadership of Prof. A.H. Sheriffdeen, since the early 1980s.

Today, the services are being carried out by 3 separate and independent units, including the University unit, Headed by separate Consultants.
The first dedicated Vascular Operating Theatre was commissioned in January 2005.

The first ward facility, Ward 64, was acquired in 2009, renovated and commissioned on the 7th February 2010.

This ward has 20 beds for male patients and 12 for female, in addition to a HDU facility, which is yet to be commissioned.

Currently ward 64A is headed by Dr. SD Rajamantri, while ward 64B is headed by Dr. WRD Fonseka.

How to get the service of  Vascular and Transplant unit of NHSL: ( how to refer )

For Vascular operations, referrals are accepted directly from any Consultant Surgeon in the Department of Health.

Clinic days,

Unit 1. Dr. SD Rajamantri.  Thursdays 8.00 am to 12.00 noon. Room 34 OPD.

Unit 2. Dr. WRD Fonseka. Fridays 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Room 44 OPD.

University Surgical unit. Tuesdays 8.00am to 12.00noon Room 44 OPD.

Referrals from the OPD are accepted through the VS – OPD (Room 18).

Emergency admissions are accepted through the Casualty Surgical Department and the Accident Service.

Advanced information regarding an incoming emergency is very welcome. An on call doctor is available round the clock and contactable through the Hospital General line 2691111/1959

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine, which cares for patients suffering from arthritis, as well as diseases arising from joints, bones, muscles and other soft tissues related to joints.

What are the common conditions treated in rheumatology?

The illnesses treated at the Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation

  1. Diseases of the joints
    1. Inflammatory joint diseases

      1. Rheumatoid arthritis

      2. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis ( after the age of 13 years)

      3. Spondyloarthropathies

        1. Ankylosing spondylitis

        2. Psoriatic arthritis

        3. Reactive arthritis (Reiter's disease)

        4. Enteropathic arthritis

      4. Connective Tissue diseases

        1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

        2. Systemic sclerosis

        3. Polymyositis / Dermatomyositis

        4. Sjogren's disease

        5. Mixed Connective tissue diseases

      5. Crystal induced arthritis

        1. Gout

        2. Pseudo-gout

      6. Miscellaneous inflammatory arthritis

        1. Adult Still's disease

        2. Sarcoidosis

    1. Degenerative joint diseases

      1. Osteoarthritis

      2. Cervical spondylosis

      3. Lumbar spondylosis

  1. Generalised and Regional Pain syndromes

    1. Fibromyalgia

    2. Neck pain

    3. shoulder pain

    4. Low-back pain

  1. Disease of muscles

    1. Polymyositis

    2. Dermatomyositis

    3. Inclusion-body myositis

  1. Disease of Bone

    1. Osteoporosis

    2. Osteomalacia

    3. Other Bone diseases

  1. Systemic Inflammatory conditions

    1. Vasculitis

      1. Polymyalgia Rheumatica

      2. Wegener's granulomatosis

      3. Polyarteris nodosa

      4. microscopic polyangiitis

      5. Churg-Strauss syndrome

      6. Henoch-Schonlein purpura

History & Brief

The Rheumatology Department of the National Hospital (then called as the "General Hospital Colombo"), was initiated by Dr J. E. Frank Perera in July 1957.  Initially this department was called as the "Department of physical medicine". It was providing fragmented care to rheumatic patients and physiotherapy services to the physically disabled.

Rheumatology and Rehabilitation was first recognised as a medical speciality in the country in 1977 with Dr Roy Kulatunga assuming duties as the consultant in charge of the same department succeeding Dr Frank Perera.

Currently there are 2 Departments of rheumatology and medical rehabilitation in the National Hospital. They are:

  1. The Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (General), which was the first established and is situated opposite the blood bank at the Medical Faulty end.

  2. The Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation  (Special) at the first floor of the Orthopaedic Clinic building opposite the Out Patient Department.

There are 3 consultants in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation one serving the General and the other two working at the special department.

 Statistics: Daily

  1. Number of patients seen by the Consultant in Charge for a day = 20

  2. Total number of patients seen by all Medical officers for a day = 300

  3. Total number of patients treated at the Physiotherapy Unit = 250

  4. Total Number of Patients seen at the Occupational therapy unit  = 30

Medical Services available

  1. Clinics conducted by the Medical staff

  2. Pharmacy

  3. Physiotherapy

  4. Occupational therapy

Out Patient clinics

Out Patient clinics are conducted during all the weekdays and half day on Saturdays.  The Consultant rheumatologist and the Medical officers conduct these clinics.


The Consultant Rheumatologist or the Medical Officers first sees all patients who attend the outpatient Clinics.  Here they are evaluated in detail to arrive at a diagnosis. Subsequently they are treated with drugs and some with invasive procedures such as injection of joints and soft tissues as well as aspiration of fluid from joints.
As Rheumatology is a field, which has a multidisciplinary approach, some patients are in addition treated with physiotherapy and Occupational therapy. Therefore to facilitate this approach both the departments of rheumatology and rehabilitation has a Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and an Occupational therapy unit.

Pharmacy

All the latest drugs used for the treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system are available in the pharmacy and a qualified pharmacist dispenses them.

Physiotherapy

Patients with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are treated with physiotherapy on the request of the medical staff. There are qualified physiotherapists who treat patients manually as well as with the assistance of various machines.

Physiotherapy mainly focuses on the muscle power, muscle tone, joint movement, balance and on walking mechanism. Any abnormality involving any of these aspects need physiotherapy.  Physiotherapists also train patients to walk with assistive devices such as walking sticks, crutches and frames.  They also teach and train patients to maintain correct posture in order to minimise the pain and to reduce the progress of the disease. Patients with abnormalities of their lungs and breathing abnormalities are also treated with physiotherapy to improve their lung function

Occupational therapy

Qualified occupational therapists treat patients with rheumatic diseases who are evaluated and subsequently requested by the doctors.

The main focus of Occupational therapy for patients suffering from arthritis is on their day-to-day activities.  They are also called as the “hand therapist” as they treat patients who are unable to attend to daily activities as a result of abnormalities of their hands. Their goal is to make these patients as independent as possible in their daily activities so they can attend to these activities by themselves.  They also train and teach patients with arthritis to use their hands in daily activities in such a way to minimise further damage.

Occupational therapists use various types of splints, supports and other devices to the hands and feet in treating patients with diseases of their joints.

Services Provided

  1. Medical treatment as mentioned above

  2. Physiotherapy Facilities for the other Units of the National Hospital

    1. All Medical wards (Both male and female wards)

    2. All Surgical wards (Both male and Female)

    3. Dental institute

    4. Eye Hospital

  3. Teaching and  Training

The department provides training facilities to medical undergraduates, postgraduates and to Physiotherapy undergraduates and Diploma students.

  1. Research

Involved in a few Multi Centre International research projects to assess new drugs in the treatment of arthritis.

Staff

  1. Consultant Rheumatologist and Rehabilitation

  2. Medical Officers

  3. Nursing Staff

  4. Physiotherapists

  5. Occupational Therapists

  6. Pharmacist

  7. Minor Staff (Orderlies)

Available Facilities

  1. Reception / Information counter

  2. Consultants office / Consultation Room

  3. Medical officer's Consultation rooms

  4. Physiotherapy Unit

  5. Occupational Therapy unit

  6. Auditorium

  7. Research Room

How to refer patients

Any patient who is suffering from arthritis or a musculoskeletal disease can be referred by :-

  1. Medical officers of the OPD of the National hospital

  2. Any Consultant doctor.

All patients attending the department for the first time should carry a referral letter

Clinics

Rheumatology Tuesday 2.00 p.m O.P.D 26
Rheumatology & Rehabilitation
(General) (D.R.&.R )
Monday 8.00 am D.R.R (G)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Rheumatology & Rehabilitation
(General) (D.R.&.R )
Monday 8.00 am D.P.M (S)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

Rheumatology & Rehabilitation

(General) (D.R.&.R )
Monday 8.00 am D.P.M (S)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

 
Future Vision

Rheumatology has evolved over the last few years. To give the best of care for ill patients they need to be observed closely in dedicated Rheumatology Wards. Therefore our vision is to have ward facilities at the National Hospital to treat very ill arthritis patients and to improve the standard of care in order to make this facility as the National Centre of excellence in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation.

What is Radiology?

It is a specialty of medicine that uses ionizing and nonionizing radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of disease , by using imaging technologies, such as X-ray radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) - A consultant specialized in this branch of medicine is called a Radiologist.

  • Neuroradiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the central nervous system, head, neck, and spine -

  • Paediatric radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the unique techniques used to create images of children's bodies, their organs, and internal structures.

  • Breast imaging - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the diagnosis of breast diseases.

  • Cardiovascular radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the diagnosis of diseases of the heart and blood vessels (including the arteries and veins).

  • Chest radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the chest, specifically the heart and lungs.

  • Gastrointestinal radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or digestive tract.

  • Genitourinary radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the organs of the reproductive and urinary tracts.

  • Musculoskeletal radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses on the diseases of the muscles and skeleton.

  • Emergency radiology - Diagnostic radiology that focuses diagnosis of trauma and nontraumatic emergency conditions.

  • Interventional radiology - A subspecialty of radiology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients utilizing minimally invasive interventional techniques - These include imaging and treatment of blood vessels (such as angiography), biopsy procedures, line and tube placement, and fluid abscess drainage.

  • Nuclear radiology - A subspecialty of radiology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with trace doses of radioactive material -

In radiology several techniques are used and they are;

  • Projection (plain) radiography
    Radiographs are produced by the transmission of X-Rays through a patient to a capture device then converted into an image for diagnosis.

  • Fluoroscopy
    Fluoroscopy and angiography are special applications of X-ray imaging, in which a fluorescent screen and image intensifier tube is connected to a TV monitor  which allows real-time imaging of structures in motion or augmented with a radiocontrast agent. Radiocontrast agents are administered, often swallowed or injected into the body of the patient, to delineate anatomy and functioning of the blood vessels, the genitourinary system or the gastrointestinal tract.

  • CT scanning
    This technique uses X-rays in conjunction with computing algorithms to image the body. In CT, an X-ray generating tube opposite an X-ray detector in a ring shaped apparatus rotate around a patient producing a computer generated cross-sectional image.

  • Ultrasound
    high-frequency sound waves are used to visualize soft tissue structures in the body in real time. Ionizing radiation is not utilized in the technique, but the quality of the images obtained using ultrasound is highly dependent on the skill of the person performing the exam.

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
    MRI uses strong magnetic fields to align atomic nuclei within body tissues, then uses a radio signal to disturb the axis of rotation of these nuclei and observes the radio frequency signal generated as the nuclei return to their baseline states plus all surrounding areas.

  • Nuclear Medicine
    Nuclear medicine imaging involves the administration of radiopharmaceuticals consisting of substances with affinity for certain body tissues labeled with radioactive tracer into the body of a patient.

The main radiology department is sub divided into three sub departments as Diagnostic Radiology, Therapeutic Radiology and Interventional Radiology.

The aim of this type of surgery is usually to improve function of the affected body part, but may also be performed to give a normal appearance to the patient - Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery is performed to repair or reshape normal parts of the body, usually to improve appearance.

History of the NHSL Radiology Department and the current status:

Today Radiology has become an integral part and plays a central role in diagnosing and treating diseases. At a time when the premier healthcare institution of the country, the National Hospital of Sri Lanka is celebrating 150 years of service to the nation it is just appropriate to review the contributions made by the Radiology Department of this hospital.

Documented history starts from 1926 with Dr. H. O. Gunawardena assuming duties as the first Radiologist in the hospital.   A beginning of an X-Ray Department in NHSL was in three rooms located in the Administration Block of the hospital. Equipment available at the time were one induction coil apparatus and a few accessories. Under the able guidance of Dr. Gunawardena and with the assistance from authorities, soon a transformer type of X-ray machine and a mobile X-ray machine were imported.

Next addition of equipment was in 1937 when an X-ray machine modern for that era was purchased. It is noted that there has been a long gap of 14 years until improvement of this status with commissioning of six ‘ultra modern’ X-ray plants including two ward units.

Fluoroscopy with Image Intensification facility was introduced in 1977 and from the following year the Radiology Department was able to perform double contrast gastrointestinal studies. Gradually hepatobiliary, genitourinary and vascular contrast studies done under fluoroscopy guidance were added to the diagnostic procedures carried out in this hospital.
Including cross sectional imaging to the radiology service was made in 1982 when first ultrasound scanner was brought in. Scanners with Doppler sonography and endo-rectal and endo-vaginal transducers were purchased six to seven years later. Now a separate section is available for diagnostic ultrasonography and ultrasound guided biopsy and drainage procedures.

Nuclear Imaging Unit was established in 1984 as an IAEA project facilitated through Ministry of Health. Initially only a probe system was available for image acquisition. Soon a rectilinear scanner was provided, with which better coverage of body scans was done. The Unit acquired a gamma camera in 1989. At present a dual headed gamma camera with SPECT facility and capable of doing cardiac studies is being installed in the Main X-ray Department.

First CT scanner in the hospital started functioning in 1989. Today CT scans constitute a major fraction of imaging done in the hospital. With advancing technology and refinement of technique more and more diagnostic functions become possible with CT making a continuous increase in the demand for CT procedures. The available two 16-slice CT scanners in Main X-ray Department and in Neuro Trauma Unit are not sufficient to meet the challenge.

We notice a quiet period for introduction in new technology until 2000 when a 1.0 Tesla MRI scanner was installed. Public too contributed largely to meet the expenditure for this machine which was an essential tool for management of Neurosurgical and Neurological patients. With opening of the Neuro Trauma Unit one 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner was fixed there in 2009.

In 2000, first mammography unit in hospital was acquired by University Surgical Unit. Radiology services were provided by Consultant Radiologists, medical officers and radiographers from Main X-ray Department. Today breast sonography, mammography and guided biopsy and localization procedures are done at Main X-ray Department.

Year 2003 saw addition of a dedicated angiography machine. Diagnostic angiography and endovascular procedures are done to date using this machine. Plans are ahead to have a biplane angiography machine in the Neuro Trauma Unit.

Catheter angiography was a well established diagnostic imaging method in Main X-ray Department for nearly four decades. Therapeutic endovascular procedures were started in late 1980 s treating lower limb arterial segmental stenoses using vascular dilators. Subsequently radiologists moved towards percutaneous balloon dilatation.  Venous interventions were started in 2004 with IVC filters placement. Today numerous non-vascular and vascular interventional procedures are offered as part of the radiology services.

Radiology block of the then Colombo General Hospital was opened in February 1951 where Main Radiology Department is housed today. Over the years according to the service obligations  X- ray units had to be started in Out-Patient Department, Accident Service and Neuro-surgical Unit. Radiology Division of Neuro Trauma Unit is a special unit catering mainly for Neuroradiology. Proposed epilepsy project of NHSL supposedly includes a state of the art radiology section with more sophisticated equipment.

Under the patronage of Dr. Gunawardena,  radiotherapy section too developed in par with diagnostic radiology facilities. Radium therapy was started in 1929 . This treatment facility was expanded by purchasing two new therapy plants and an apparatus for contact therapy. This section was declared open in 1944 by Mr. George E de Silva, then Minister of Health. When National Cancer Institute started in Maharagama, radiotherapy was shifted there. Daily morning Oncology clinic held in a section of ground floor of Main X-ray Department by Consultant Oncologists from National Cancer Institute is a reminiscent of that past connection.

When Dr. Gunawardena assumed duties as the Radiologist he was the only medical personnel. He was able to have his first medical assistant fifteen years later, in 1941. Owing to tremendous progress made in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Sri Lanka, the Department now functions with ten Consultant Radiologists and thirty to forty medical officers including postgraduate trainees and medical officers in Radiology. Since 1926 about 12 Consultant Radiologists have given headship and guidance to this evolving service area in the leading hospital of the country. 

At the start the Radiology Department was run with part-time staff loaned from the Colombo Medical College. Two permanent technical assistants were appointed in 1928. It will be interesting to note that at the end of first quarter century there were a total of 41 senior technical assistants and permanent technicians working in Radiology. Presently sixty three years later from then onwards only sixty six radiographers are working in different sections of Radiology Department of the NHSL. 

It shows that the nursing officers were a part of radiology service team from the beginning. The Department had two nursing sisters and two nurses by 1951. Currently one nursing sister and about twenty nursing officers are helping to deliver more efficient radiology care.

A medical physicist who is important to a radiology service is incorporated to NHSL with the inception of Nuclear Imaging Unit in 1984. Though there were times the hospital did not have the services of these specially trained personnel we have regained a medical physicist stationed at the Main X-ray Department.

About thirty five members of minor employees and a few volunteer workers are included in the workforce positively contributing to the service requirements of the Radiology Department.

Main X-ray Department not only provides diagnostic and image guided minimally invasive therapeutic services to the country but also is the hub of radiology training for the whole of Sri Lanka. Local post graduate training in radiology started in 1982 with NHSL Radiology Department as the central point. In-service training, lecture programmes and other learning activities for future radiologists were carried out there. Initially practical components of radiology examinations too were conducted in the reporting room. So far about 155 board certified radiologists were nurtured through the portals of NHSL Radiology. 

Radiography training too was closely associated with Main X-ray Department. School of Radiography started in 1957. The lecture hall and the Principal’s office were situated in current day reporting room. Annually twenty five to thirty trainees were enrolled. In July 2014 the first group of graduate radiographers absorbed into Ministry of Health completed their six month practical training component of the orientation programme at NHSL.

The known history of Radiology at NHSL is the story of hard work, dedication and struggle by many. Staff of Radiology, hospital Directors, other administrative officers in hospital, officials of Ministry of Health, Sri Lankan Government, patients, people in Sri Lanka and well-wishers from overseas; all can share the pride and gratitude of a job well done.

Radiology is an equipment based service. With increasing service requirements more and more machinery based on modern technology is required to provide good radiology care. When we study the history of radiology at NHSL we notice that addition of equipment has been a slow process with unacceptable prolonged intervals. Some of the possible reasons would have been comparative high costs of equipment, adverse financial situations of the country related to global and internal armed conflicts, scarcity of adequate space for expansion and lack of due recognition about the importance of introducing recent advances into local practice. However, the fact remains that now as well as in the past, Health Ministry is doing commendably utmost to accommodate requests for expensive new technology.

NHSL Radiology is subtly subdivided into different technique based areas such as CT, nuclear imaging, ultrasonography, DSA, fluoroscopy, MRI and plain radiography.System based special areas are  breast imaging section and radiology divisions in Accident Service, Neuro Trauma Unit and proposed Epilepsy Unit. This kind of division is acceptable because it makes further development easier and service delivery more efficient. Employing trained staff to handle these special areas is equally important.

 

How to get the services

By Appointment system

What is Plastic Surgery?

It is a usual belief among general public that the word plastic in plastic surgery means artificial, which is a misconception. The word is derived from the ancient Greek word plastikos, which means to shape or give form. Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involved in the reconstruction of defects in the face and body tissue disorders due to illness, trauma, or birth.
Plastic surgery restores and improves function, as well as appearance. It can involve surgery on any part of the body, except the central nervous system, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Skin

  • Defects at Birth (Congenital Anomalies)

  • Facial Skeleton (Maxillofacial)

Plastic surgery includes both reconstructive surgery and cosmetic procedures. Usually reconstructive surgery is carried out on abnormalities of the body that may be caused by the following:

  • Trauma or due to accidents

  • Developmental abnormalities

  • Disease and Infections

  • Tumours

  • Congenital (present at birth) anomalies

The aim of this type of surgery is usually to improve function of the affected body part, but may also be performed to give a normal appearance to the patient.
Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery is performed to repair or reshape normal parts of the body, usually to improve appearance.

History of the NHSL Plastic Surgical Unit

Plastic surgery  unit at the General Hospital Colombo, as it was called then,  was established in  1962,  long after the establishment of  the other general surgery units by Dr A. Wijesinghe, who was trained in the UK as the first plastic surgeon in Sri Lanka. The unit had humble beginnings and consisted of only two rooms which could only accommodate 3 beds each and plastic surgery was performed once a week. Since his retirement in 1981, Dr. Narendra Wijemanne was appointed to the unit and was instrumental developing the unit and  in popularizing the field of plastic surgery. He also revolutionized treatment of cleft lips and palates.  

Dr Dulip Perera  was appointed to the unit in 1999 after the retirement of Dr. Narendra Wijemanne. Dr. Perera's contribution to the unit was immense and he has been able to expand the unit he took over  with a capacity of 10 beds in  the female ward and 5 beds in the male ward and a room for children to what it is today consisting of  3 consultant plastic surgeons operating in 3 operating theatres and  3 wards,  male, female and paediatric,  consisting of  a bed capacity of 16, 15 and 5 in each ward respectively. He was also responsible for maintaining the high quality of training and  popularizing the field of microsurgery which has resulted in providing specialized care for trauma patients.  The unit also has  a team of dedicated staff consisting of senior registrars, senior house officers, nurses, occupational therapists and junior staff members to assist in these services and provide round the clock services to all patients referred to the unit.

The plastic surgery unit at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka has been recognized as a centre of excellence for training plastic surgeons locally and is currently being considered to train plastic surgeons from Australia. The metamorphosis of the plastic surgery unit at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka has been truly remarkable and is a result of the dedication by every  member of the staff who has served in the unit and  thrived for its success during the past 52 years since its inception in 1962.

Clinics conducted under the specialty

  1. General plastic surgery clinic
    Every Friday 8am onwards (except on public holidays)
  1. Cleft lip/palate clinic
    Every 1st Thursday 8am onwards (except on public holidays)
  1. Brachial plexus clinic
    Every 2nd Thursday 8am onwards (except on public holidays)
    • all above clinics are held at plastic surgery clinic room, near ward 04 (female), 2nd floor Bandaranaike building.

    • Dr. Dhammika Dissanayaka (consultant plastic surgeon) can only be consulted on Fridays.

How to register for clinics

  • Only a consultant should refer a patient to the plastic surgery clinic from other institutions either government or private sector.

  • Patients are registered at our plastic surgery clinic directly through OPD referrals or through room number 18 (general surgical clinic)

Services rendered by the unit

  1. Plastic & reconstructive surgeries

Example:

  • Reconstruction of hand, foot & facial injuries.
  • Surgical correction of congenital (birth) defects/injuries of limbs & face including ears, nose, lip, palate & genitalia.
  • Breast reconstruction following cancer or similar problems.
  • Also we are doing selected aesthetic (cosmetic) surgeries for teaching purposes.
  1. Occupational / scar therapy unit

Conducted by 3 occupational therapists
We are providing occupational & scar therapy at post & pre operative stages.

  1. Dressing room

Sterility maintained,  well equipped dressing room conducted by trained staff which is always supervised by a medical officer.

How to obtain these services

Only for the patients who are registered at the clinic can obtain these services as ordered by the consultants or by another doctor.

Instruction on transferring patients to the unit

  • Transferring between institutions
    • Referrals between the units should be by the consultants at all times.
  • During non working hours
    • Consultants delegate this responsibility to a senior registrar (SR). The SR should keep the consultant informed that a patient has been transferred to the unit.
  • In an emergency (eg: re-plant*)  
    • Always contact our on call team 0112691111  or 1959  (Ext 2204 or 2844)
  • Please refer the following guidelines 

Guidelines for accepting transferred patients

  1. Prior to transferring a patient, a member of the on call team (SR/Reg./SHO) should be contacted and a brief history regarding the patient clearly explained.

  2. If a possibility is available to e-mail or provide photos via MMS it will be of at most benefit to the oncall medical officer who would be accepting the patient to assess the necessity of transfer. A photocopy of the BHT will be mandatory for acceptance of the transfer.

  3. The initial transfer form should be signed by the consultant and none other, including the designation, name, date and time are mandatory.

  4. Prior to transfer if the oncall medical officer was not notified duely the transfer will not be accepted by the relevant unit and the patient will have to be admitted via the casualty surgical/ medical unit only.

  5. During weekends when transferring patients between units only a mutual agreement among the consultants should permit such transfers.

  6. When being transferred, the patient should be properly educated that re transfer back to the initial unit will not be compulsory by ambulance, and a transfer form by hand maybe issued and the patient will have to provide his/her own transport back to the unit, this may be due to the dire necessity of beds to be provided for urgent, complicated surgeries being perform in the unit and to accommodate these patients.

  7. During weekends only dire emergencies will be accepted.

  • For internal tranferes please refer the following guidelines

Guidelines for accepting transferred patients

  1. If the patient is internally warded, the in charge consultant should make sure a referral to the relevant on call consultant is written. (Since some units consists of several consultants the referral should be written to the consultant who is on call on this day).

  2. If it’s a referral made for the first time the referral should strictly be addressed to the consultant in charge of the unit and none other.(SR/Reg.).

  3. Prior to accepting the transfer, the on call consultant should contact the ward staff and clarify the availability of beds. If none are available he should inform the unit regarding the unavailability of beds and agree to inform them in return once a bed falls vacant.

  4. If the patient is accepted and surgery is performed following surgery once the patient is fit for transfer he/she should be taken over back by the unit from which the patient was transferred initially from and relevant legal documents including medical certificates, insurance forms and other should be provided by the unit from which the patient was transferred from.

  5. If the patient is X-ward relevant documents of proof should be dually submitted.

Future goals

  • To further improve hand,  microsurgery and craniofacial services

  • To develop this unit as a premier training center for plastic surgery trainees in Sri Lanka as well as  in the Asia Pacific Region

  • To facilitate research by all the members in the unit

  • To purchase computer and software facilities to register and preserve patient data in view of conducting 'Paperless clinics' in the future.

FaLang translation system by Faboba

Welcome to National Hospital

 

Centre of Excellence in Health Care.

 

The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL),  situated in Colombo on a 32-acre block of land, is the largest teaching hospital in Sri Lanka and the final referral centre in the country, consisting of 3000 beds. it is the training centre for undergraduates and postgraduate trainees of the Faculty of Medicine. The nursing training school, Colombo, PBS, and Schools of Radiography, Pharmacy, Cardiograph, physiotherapy and occupational therapy are also affiliated with the National Hospital.

Read more.

 

Donations to NHSL from United States

 

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung paid a visit to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo on 14 June 2022 to officially handed over much-needed medical consumables to the hospital donated by SLMANA Inc. The donation was accepted by Dr W.K. Wickremasinghe, DDG-NHSL and Dr Indika de Lanerolle, Consultant Emergency Physician. The United States, being an ally of Sri Lanka has always assisted the Sri Lankan public in times of crisis and the donated items shall facilitate the provision of continuous healthcare through NHSL-Colombo. 

 Download the article

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Hon. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana
Minister of Health
Dr. P.G. Mahipala
Secretary - Ministry of Health
Dr. Asela Gunawardena
Director General of Health Services
Dr. W. K. Wickremasinghe
Deputy Director General of Health Services - NHSL

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