11 March 2016 10:49 am
Asian Alliance Insurance PLC and Asiri Surgical Hospital, who are both members of the Softlogic group, recently extended a helping hand to the people of the kidney disease-stricken Polpithigama area, by testing over 260 area residents for urological/kidney-related medical issues, in the first in a series of free health camps.
Recognizing issues faced by Polpithigama residents in travelling a large distance to Kurunegala to obtain medical assistance, the programme was held with the input of the urologists of Asiri Surgical Hospital, Dr. Dimantha De Silva and Dr. Suren De Zylva and medical officers and doctors from the area to identify those with urological conditions such as haematuria (blood in the urine), kidney stones and infections.
At the joint health camp organised by the two Softlogic group companies, patients were initially screened by four medical officers and then directed to urologists based on need, given a second opinion and required tests free-of-charge – including ultrasound (US) scan, body mass index (BMI), random blood sugar and electrocardiogram (ECG) and patients detected with issues were referred to the urology clinic at the General Hospital – Kurunegala.
Area residents above 40 years of age were invited to participate in the health camp. In addition to screening, efforts were also made to improve the area residents’ awareness/understanding of urological/kidney-related conditions.
“This initiative represents our commitment to assist those in need who lack the required facilities the most, through our community initiatives,” Asian Alliance Insurance PLC COO Life Chula Hettiarachchi said.
“With the assistance of partners such as the Asiri Surgical Hospital – which we greatly appreciate – we hope to further extend these efforts and touch the lives of many more Sri Lankans in need.”
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries including chief guest and Polpithigama General Hospital DMO Dr. Sampath Gamage, Asian Alliance Life COO Chula Hettiarachchi, Asiri Surgical Medical Director Dr. Ruwan Senatilleke, Asiri Surgical Hospital Head of Marketing Dasarath Hettiarachchi, Polpithigama MOH official Dr. W.N.P.U. Kumara, Polpithigama OIC R.B.U.
Ratnamalala, Polpithigama Vidyalaya Principal A.M.N. Mahesh Atapattu, Nikawewa Central College Principal S.B. Dissanayake and other Asian Alliance officials.