02nd September 2021 06:32:39 Hours
The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), presided by Medical Specialist, Dr Padma Gunarathna whose organization was instrumental in leading the Home-based Intergrated Patient Management System for COVID patients, establishing Tel No 1904 and Dr Call 247 in close coordination with the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) further enhanced its emergency assistance to the NOCPCO this afternoon (01) by donating 250 pulse oximeters for distribution among worst- infected households as many critical cases lack access to these life-saving instruments.
Dr Padma Gunarathna, SLMA President at the end of the weekly NOCPCO meeting symbolically handed over the stock to General Shavendra Silva, Head, NOCPCO, Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army in the presence of the Director General of Health Services as the first consignment, worth about Rs 1 million, made available through the SLMA’s ‘COVID Sahana’ welfare branch.
Dr Asela Gunawardena, Director General Health Services, Prof Indika Karunathilaka and Dr Ruvaiz Haniffa, two former SLMA Presidents and Dr Manilka Sumanatilleke, SLMA's Vice President were among SLMA representatives who were associated with the occasion.
The SLMA by opening much-needed tele consultation network for triage for urgent evacuation and continuous monitoring of home-based management as part of Integrated Patient Management system introducing 1904 and Doctor Call 247 has been coordinating effectively but the absence of adequate oximeters among low-income groups for right diagnosis of critical cases has posed an impediment to their clinical and patient management over the phone.
General Shavendra Silva as the Head, NOCPCO acknowledging the gesture thanked the SLMA and all its members for the donation which would help monitor blood oxygen levels among infected family members under home-based management system.
