JMA News Letter November 2012

With best regards,Dr. Rajendra Surenthirakumaran

Editor JMA

President’s Message….

Healthy Food Competition - 2012

November 2012, Volume 01 Issue 02

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE JAFFNA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

I t ’s our aspi rat ion to prov ide information and encourage you to be with us to make positive health changes. As we approach the middle of November, the JMA is busy as ever to organize the Annual Scientific Sessions 2012. This is a special issue dedicated to give glimpse of the JMA’s Annual Sessions 2012. A Detailed programme is provided in this issue.

The selection of the theme of “Sick Care to Health Care” is most appropriate for the health reforms which are essentially needed to achieve equitable health care for the people in the world. Pre congress sessions are planned in a way to present experiences in the 3 parallel sessions per day for two days have been designed to cover the wide range of areas which are considered as important at present context. Two days scientific sessions are organised in a way to accommodate the topics related to the theme.

Highlights of the sessions are guest lectures, symposia, oration and scientific paper presentations. Prof.C Sivagnanasundran Memorial Oration will be the important event in the sessions and will be delivered by an eminent academic. A large number of abstracts were received from the researchers living in different parts of the country within a short period of time. We hope that all of you will be able to join with us at our sessions and contribute to make the sessions a successful event.

In this news letter we would like to share the obituary of Dr.S.Sivasubramaniam who immensely contributed to the field of Otolaryngology and to the People living in Northern part of Sri Lanka especially during the darkest days in our history.

Providing opportunity for CME ac t iv i t ies i s one of our pr ime objectives. This newsletter carries MCQs in the field of Nephrology.

We are looking forward to receiving your feedback.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,This year, the JMA has decided to work towards accomplishing “Prevention of Diseases”. The theme of the JMA’s forthcoming Annual Scientific Sessions too is “From Sick Care to Health Care”. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, chronic kidney diseases and diabetes are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world today, representing around 60% of all deaths. In Sri Lanka too, the Non Communicable Diseases are the leading cause for morbidity and mortality. This epidemiologic transition is mainly due to the rise in aging population, change in food habits, increased habit of smoking, environmental pollution, and less physical activity.Medical professionals should think of promoting healthy living with the active participation of the public in general. We have to encourage better dieting, smoking cessation and engaging in more physical activity. These changes in life style are indeed simple, cheap and cost effective!In addition to this we, as the medical professionals should also address on increased psychosocial problems prevailing in the Northern Province and on many premature deaths occurring due to Road Traffic Accidents.I hope the JMA’s Annual Scientific Sessions will provide an opportunity for the medical professionals in the region to exchange their ideas and views towards improving the standards of health care in this region.

From the Editor

Dr. Nadarajah Jeyakumaran President JMA

ThankYou

Recently a “Healthy Food Competition” was organized by the Diabetic Centre, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna in order to select Palatable Healthy Food Items that were made with very minimal or no starch, sugar and oil.

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Jaffna Medical Association Annual Scientific Sessions 2012 Pre Congress Workshop - I ( 29th of November 2012 )

Venue: Cancer Education Unit, Ward 26, TH Jaffna 8.00am - 8.30am Registration 8.30am - 9.00am Introductory Remarks By Chairperson

Dr.S.Jeyaratnam Consultant Surgeon, TH Jaffna9.00am - 9.30am Laparoscopic Instruments and Ergonomics Dr.B.Aathavan Consultant Surgeon, GH Vavuniya9.30am -10.15am Access- open and closed techniques Dr.S.Rajendra Consultant Surgeon, TH Jaffna DR.K.Sureshkumar Consultant Obstretrician and Gynaecologist, TH Jaffna10.15am -10.30am Tea10.30am -11.00am Anaesthesia for Laparoscopic Surgery and Complications of Pneumoperitoneum Dr.J.Arulmoli

Consultant Anaesthetist, TH Jaffna

11.00am -11.30am Port closureDr.V.SutharshanConsultant Surgeon, TH Jaffna

11.30am -12.30pm Hands on training in Endo trainer12.30pm -1.00pm Discussion and closing remarks1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch

Venue: Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna 8.00am - 8.30am Registration8.30am - 10.00am Basic history taking and examination in a dizzy patient Dr. S.Mathanakumara Consultant ENT Surgeon, BH Mannar Dr.A.Kesavaraj Consultant Neurologist, TH Jaffna10.00am - 10.15am Tea10.15am-12 Noon Neuro otological examination in a dizzy patient Groups I-IV Dr.B.Thirumaran Consultant ENT Surgeon, TH Jaffna Dr S Mathanakumara Consultant ENT Surgeon, BH Mannar Dr.A.Kesavaraj Consultant Neurologist, TH Jaffna Dr. D. A. D. G. Daminda Consultant ENT Surgeon, GH Vavuniya12 Noon - 1.00pm Lunch 1.00pm- 3.00pm Neuro otological investigations in a dizzy patient Dr.A.Kesavaraj Consultant Neurologist, TH Jaffna Dr.B.Thirumaran Consultant ENT Surgeon, TH Jaffna Dr S Mathanakumara Consultant ENT Surgeon, BH Mannar Dr. D. A. D. G. Daminda Consultant ENT Surgeon, GH Vavuniya3.00pm-4.30pm Evidence based Management of dizzy patients Dr. D. A. D. G. Daminda Consultant ENT Surgeon, GH Vavuniya Dr.A.Kesavaraj Consultant Neurologist, TH Jaffna4.30pm-5.00pm Evaluation of workshop by MCQs

1. Basic Skill Development in Laparoscopic Surgery 2. How to Manage a Dizzy Patient

8.00am - 8.15am Registration8.15am - 8.30am Welcome Address & Opening Remarks Dr.P.Lakshman. Consultant Cardiologist, TH Jaffna.8.30am - 8.50am Medicine Dr.S.Sivansuthan. Consultant Physician, TH Jaffna.8.50am - 9.10am Surgery Dr.V.Sutharshan. Consultant Surgeon, TH Jaffna.9.10am -9.30am Paediatrics Dr.G.Sathiyadas Consultant and Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Paediatrics. Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna9.30am -9.50am Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr.G.Bavani Consultant and Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.9.50am - 10.05am Otolaryngology Dr.B.Thirumaran Consultant Otolaryngologist, TH Jaffna.10.05am - 10.20am Community Medicine Dr.V.Murali Consultant Community Physician Management, Development and Planning Unit10.20am -10.40am Tea10.40am - 10.55am Anaesthesiology Dr.S.Premakrishna Consultant Anaesthesiologist, TH Jaffna.10.55am -11.10am Pathology Dr.Jayanthi Dissanayakae

3. Career Guidance for Junior Doctors Venue: Medical Students’ Hostel Auditorium

Consultant Pathologist, BH Avissawella11.10am - 11.25am Radiology Dr.S.Nimalan Consultant Radiologist, TH Jaffna11.25am - 11.40am Clinical Oncology Dr.N.Jeyakumaran Consultant Clinical Oncologist, TH Jaffna11.40am -11.55am Dermatology Dr.S.Sivaprakasam Consultant Dermatologist, TH Jaffna.11.55am - 12.10pm Psychiatry Dr.S.Sivayokan Consultant Psychiatrist, TH Jaffna.12.10pm - 12.25pm Ophthalmology Dr.P.Sriharanathan Consultant Ophthalmologist, TH Kandy12.25pm - 12.40pm University Dr. S.Thiahini Senior Lecturer & Head Dept. of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna12.40pm - 12.55pm Forensic Medicine Dr.U.Mayoorathan Senior Registrar, TH Anuradapura2.55pm - 1.10pm Medical Administration Dr.T.Sathiyamoorthy Medical Superintendent, GH Vavuniya.1.10pm - 1.30pm Family Medicine Dr.S.Kumaran Lecturer, Dept. of Community & Family Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna

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Jaffna Medical Association Annual Scientific Sessions 2012 Pre Congress Workshop - II ( 30th of November 2012 )

8.00am - 8.30am Registration 8.30am - 9.00am Introductory Remarks By Chairperson Dr.N.Sivarajah WHO Consultant, Jaffna9.00am - 9.30am Evidence Based Medicine What does it mean? Dr.Palitha Abeykoon Former Director, WHO, South East Asia WHO Consultant, Chairman Health Management 9.30am -10.15am Evaluating Evidence in Medical Research Dr.V.Murali Consultant Community Physician Management, Development and Planning Unit10.15am -10.30am Tea10.30am -11.00am Evidence Based Psychiatry Dr.Shavindra Dias Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya11.00am -12 Noon Systematic Review and Cochrane Library Dr.R.Surendrakumar Head, Department of Community & Family Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna12 Noon -12.30pm Role of CME and CPD in Practicing Evidence Based Medicine Dr. Indika Karunatilake Senior Lecturer, Department of Medical Education Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.12.30pm - 1.00pm Discussion and Concluding Remarks1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch

8.00am - 8.30am Registration8.30am - 9.00am Welcome Address & Opening Remarks Dr.S.R.Jude Provincial Director of Health services, Northern Province9.00am - 9.30am Cervical Cancer - Situation in the Northern Province Dr.T.Sivashankar MOMCH, Jaffna9.30am -10.30am Objectives of the workshop and Current Trends in Cervical Cancer Screening in low resource setup Dr.K.Muhunthan Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna10.30am -11.00am Tea11.00am - 12 Noon Treatment of cervical pre cancer and cancer

Gynecologists’ perspective

Dr.A.Sritharan Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna12. Noon -12.30pm Treatment of cervical cancer Oncologist’s perspective Dr.C.Rajasooriyar Consultant Clinical Oncologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna12.30pm-1.00pm Discussion and Concluding Remarks1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch

1. Evidence Based Medicine Venue: Medical Students’ Hostel Auditorium

2. Screening and Treatment of Cervical Cancer Venue: RDHS Auditorium

8.00am - 8.30am Registration8.30am - 8.50am Welcome Address & Opening Remarks Dr.N.Jeyakumaran Consultant Clinical Oncologist, TH Jaffna8.50am - 9.10am Breaking Bad News & Communication Skills Dr.T.Gadambanathan Consultant Psychiatrist, TH Batticaloa9.10am -9.30am “Freedom from Pain.” A Documentary Pain & Policy Studies Group - University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA9.30am -9.50am Management of Pain Dr.N.Sooriyakumar Consultant Anasthesiologist, TH Jaffna9.50am -10.20am Tea10.20am -10.40am Experience at Cancer Unit Dr.N.Yoganathan Consultant Clinical Oncologist, TH Karapitiya10.40am - 11.00am Surgical Options in Palliative Care Dr.Rasitha Manathunga Consultant Onco Surgeon, NCI, Maharagama

3. Palliative Care from Day 1 Venue: Auditorium, Nurses Training School, TH Jaffna

11.00am -11.20am Management of Anxiety and Depression Dr.S.Sivathas Consultant Psychiatrist, GH Vavunia11.20am - 11.40am Setting up a Pain Clinic in Peripheral Hospital Dr.J.Arulmoli Consultant Anasthesiologist, TH Jaffna11.40am -12 Noon “Home based Palliative Care” - The initial experience Dr.Samadhi Rajapaksha Founder, Cancer Care Association12 Noon - 12.20pm Nurses role in Palliative Care Mr.S.Jeyakumar Nursing Tutor, NTS, Jaffna12.20pm - 1.00pm A Talk on “Survivorship and Palliative Care” Prof. James F Cleary Associate Professor of Medicine & Palliative Care Physician Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology Working Group University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA1.00pm - 1.30pm Discussion and Concluding Remarks 1.30pm - 2.30pm Lunch

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Late. Dr. SINNATHAMBY SIVASUBRAMANIAMLate Dr Sinnathamby Sivasubramaniam graduated with MBBS degree from Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya in 1966. He started his professional career at Jaffna General Hospital as an intern medical officer in 1967. Later he did post internship at General Hospital Mannar as senior house officer from 1969 to 1972. Then he worked at Nikkavarettiya Hospital as a medical officer. Then he was appointed as a Medical Officer of Health, Manipay and served for Jaffna people for 2 years.

Later he went to the United Kingdom to do his post graduate degree Diploma in Otolaryngology in 1979. Despite he was asked to stay in UK he returned to Sri Lanka to serve his Nation and People.

He was appointed as ENT Surgeon at Jaffna General Hospital and continued to be so until 2011 at the age of 71. But he continued to work in the private sector until his untimely demise. He has served more than four decades for the medical profession in patient care and medical teaching. He has served as a sole ENT surgeon in Jaffna for more than three decades including at difficult times. He had also worked as an Acting Director of Teaching Hospital Jaffna at difficult times.

He was always honest, straight forward and advicing the patients to know all about the problems and mistakes frankly. He always loved his country and the tradition.

He got married to Jegasothy Thangavel in 1968. He loved his two children very well.

May His Soul Rest in Peace!

Jaffna Medical AssociationAnnual Scientific Sessions 2012

Inauguration30th of November 2012

Programme6.30pm Arrival of Guests6.40pm Ceremonial Procession6.50pm Lighting of Lamp of Learning7.00pm Introduction of Orator Dr.N.Jeyakumaran President, JMA7.10pm Prof.C.Sivagnanasundram Oration “Health Transition: Emerging Issues in Sri Lanka” By: Dr. Murali Vallipuranathan Consultant Community Physician Management, Development and Planning Unit Ministry of Health8.10pm Vote of Thanks Dr.V.Sutharshan Secretary, JMA8.20pm Procession leaves the hall8.30pm Dinner

Programme

5.00pm Arrival of Guests5.30pm Arrival of Guest of Honour & Chief Guest5.40pm Ceremonial Procession5.50pm National Anthem5.55pm JMA Anthem6.00pm Lighting of Lamp of Learning6.05pm Presidential Address Dr.N.Jeyakumaran President, JMA6.20pm Address by the Guest of Honour “Recent Advances in Radiotherapy” Sri Lanka Shihamani Dr.Jayantha Balawadna Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist6.40pm Address by Chief Guest Dr.M.Ganesharatnam Senior Consultant Surgeon7.10pm Vote of Thanks Dr.V.Sutharshan Secretary, JMA7.15pm Cultural Performance7.45pm Procession leaves the hall8.00pm Refreshments

Venue: Kailasapathy Auditorium, University of Jaffna Venue: Tilko City Hotel, Jaffna

Jaffna Medical Association Annual Scientific Sessions 2012

Prof.C.Sivagnanasundram Oration 1st of December 2012

Telephone.: 0094 21 222 2261Fax.: 0094 21 222 2262E-Mail.: [email protected].: www.thejma.org

To Contact JMA...

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Jaffna Medical AssociationAnnual Scientific Sessions 2012

Day 2 (2nd of December 2012)

Jaffna Medical AssociationAnnual Scientific Sessions 2012

Day 1 (1st of December 2012)

8.00am - 8.30am Registration

Session 1

8.30am - 9.00am Guest Lecture – 1 “Update on Surgical Management of Breast Cancer” Dr.M.Ganesharatnam Senior Consultant Surgeon9.00am - 10.30am Symposium 1 – Oncology “Prevention of Common Cancers in Sri Lanka”9.00am - 9.15am 1. Burden of Cancers in Northern Province Dr.N.Jeyakumaran Consultant Clinical Oncologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna9.15am - 9.40am 2. Prevention of Common Cancers among Females Dr.Jayantha Balawadna Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka, Maharagama9.40am - 10.00am 3. Role of Dental Surgeons in Oral Cancer Prevention Dr.Suresh Shanmuganathan Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon District General Hospital, Kalutara10.00am - 10.15am 4. Tobacco Control in Sri Lanka Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa Founder Cancer Care Association10.15am - 10.30am Discussion10.30am - 11.00am Tea & Viewing Posters11.00am - 12.30pm Free Papers12.30pm - 1.00pm Guest Lecture – 2 “Update on Management of Diabetes Mellitus” Dr.Noel Somasundram Consultant Endocrinologist National Hospital of Sri Lanka1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch & Viewing Posters

Session 2

2.00pm - 3.15pm Symposium 2 – Medicine “NCD Beyond Malignancies”2.00pm - 2.20pm 1.Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease Dr.Mathu Selvarajah Consultant Nephrologist Teaching Hospital Kurunegala2.20pm - 2.40pm 2. Prevention of Obesity Dr.V.Murali Consultant Community Physician Management, Development and Planning Unit2.40pm - 3.00pm 3. Primary and Secondary Prevention of Stroke Dr.A.Keshavaraj Consultant Neurologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna3.00pm - 3.20pm 4. Diabetic Retinopathy Everybody’s Business Dr.M.Malaravan Consultant Ophthalmologist General Hospital, Vavuniya3.20pm - 3.30pm Discussion3.30pm - 3.45pm Tea & Viewing Posters3.45pm - 4.30pm Symposium 3 - Paediatrics “Nutrition”3.45pm - 4.05pm 1. NICU graduate what to expect Dr Angela Arulpragasam Consultant Paediatrician Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa.4.05pm - 4.25pm 2. Dietary modification in a child with special needs Dr Niruba Umashangar Paediatrician and Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics. Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.4.25pm - 4.45pm 3. Ensuring Nutritional Status of Children Challenges and Way Forward - An Experience from Batticaloa Dr Chithra Gadambanathan Consultant Paediatrician Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa4.45pm - 5.00pm Discussion

Session 1

8.00am - 9.30am Free Papers9.30am - 10.00am Guest Lecture -3 “A Decade of Transradial Coronary Intervention” from Colombo to Jaffna Dr.S.Mithrakumar Consultant Cardiologist10.00am - 10.30am Guest Lecture - 4 “Update on Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis” Dr.Lalith Wijeratne Consultant Rheumatologist National Hospital of Sri Lanka10.30am - 11.00am Tea & Viewing Posters11.00am - 12 Noon Symposium 4 - Rheumatology “Rheumatology in Other Specialties”11.00am - 11.20am 1. Ophthalmological Manifestations Dr.M.Malaravan Consultant Ophthalmologist General Hospital, Vavuniya11.20am - 11.40am 2.Haematological Manifestations Dr.T.Sooriyakumar Consultant Haematologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna11.40am - 12 Noon Discussion12 Noon - 12.15pm “Awarding Prizes to Free Papers”12.15am - 12.45pm Guest Lecture - 5 “Clinical Application of PET-CT” Dr.Manoj Gupta Head, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET CT ASIRI Surgical Hospital PLC12.45pm - 2.00pm Symposium 5 - Surgery “Managing Road Traffic Accidents (RTA)”12.45pm - 1.00pm 1. Radiologist’s Role in Managing RTA Dr. Nalini Rajendra Consultant Radiologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna1.00pm - 1.15pm 2. Anaesthetist’s Role in Managing RTA Dr.V.Devanesan Consultant Anaesthesiologist Teaching Hospital, Jaffna1.15pm - 1.30pm 3. Surgeon’s Role in Managing RTA Dr.S.Raviraj Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Surgery Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna1.30pm - 1.45pm 4. JMO’s Role in Managing RTA Dr.S.Mayoorathan Senior Registrar Teaching Hospital, Anuradapura1.45pm - 2.00pm Discussions2.00pm Lunch End of Scientific Sessions

Venue: Public Library Auditorium, Jaffna Venue: Public Library Auditorium, Jaffna

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1) Who should be screened for renal artery stenosisa) Abrupt onset of hypertension at a relatively

young age (<30 years).b) Worsening control of previously well

treated hypertension.c) Recurrent episodes of ‘flash pulmonary

oedema’.d) Renal failure precipitated by initiation of

ACEI or ARB.e) Unexplained hyperkalaemia.

2) What are the clinical features supporting cholesterol embolisma) Decline renal function following a

relatively recent vascular procedureb) Livedo reticularisc) Peripheral eosinolphiliad) Hyper complementaemiae) Ischaemic digits

3) Causes of RPGN with normal complement levela) Microscopic poly angitisb) Wegener’s granulomatosisc) Good Pasture’s syndromed) Hypersensitive vasculitise) SLE

4) WOFT about RPGNa) Is clinical syndrome characterized by rapid

loss of renal function that often results in end stage renal disease.

b) Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy is vital because early intervention is associated with better outcome.

c) Steroid treatment can not be initiated prior to establishing a definitive diagnosis.

d) Cyclophosphamide is not useful.e) Plasma exchange improves outcome in

patients with active vasculitis and severe renal failure.

5) Medications that can lead to renal stone formationa) Protease inhibitorb) Topiramatec) Calcium supplementd) Triamterenee) Ephedrine

6) What are the reasons for malnourishment in uraemic patientsa) Decreased food consumption.b) Hyper catabolism.c) Malnutrition Inflammation

Atherosclerosis syndrome ( MIA).d) Low phosphate may lead to protein

malnutrition.e) Cytokine release and complement

activation during dialysis.

7) What features are associated with high incidence of tumor lysis syndrome

a) Lactate dehydrogenase >1500 IU/L.b) Uric acid level > 8mg /dl.c) Extensive bone marrow involvement.d) Highly chemo sensitive or radio sensitive tumors.e) Volume depletion.

8) Cystatin Ca) Is a 13 K Dalton non glycosylated basic protein.b) Is produced by all nucleated cells.c) Is freely filtered by the glomerulus.d) Appears to be less variable and less affected by

age and sex than serum creatinine.e) Estimated GFR better than S.Creatinine alone.

9) What are the features predispose to calcific uraemic arteriolopathy (calciphylaxis) in renal failurea) Poorly controlled secondary

hyperparathyroidism.b) Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.c) Male gender.d) Use of warfarin.e) Duration of renal replacement therapy.

10) Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis(NSF)a) Is characterized by progressive fibrosis

and thickening of the skin ( similar to scleroderma).

b) Painless condition.c) The lesions appear as plaques, papules or

nodules distributed in symmetrical fashion over the distal extremities.

d) Precipitated by gadiolinium used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

e) Interval between contrast material and early manifestation of NSF can range from 2 days to 18months.

Answers for Neurology MCQ (October Issue)

1. T T T T F

2. F T T T F

3. F F F T T

4. T T T T F

5. F T T T T

6. T T T F T

7. T F T F T

8. F T F T F

9. T T F T T

10. F T F F T

Compiled by Dr. T. Peranantharajah Consultant Physician, TH Jaffna.

MCQ in Nephrology

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Gr e a t m e n l e a v e footprints on the sands

of time; the footprints that the winds of change cannot erase. They engrave a permanent impression with a silver lining and f luorescent glow that

shines and guides future endeavors.

Dr Samuel Fisk Green was one such great man who toiled with a will and left his footprints on the Jaffna soil by his devoted service to the Tamil people, many years ago.

Dr Green (1822-1884) of Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, was an American Medical Missionary doctor

From...

Scientific Tamil PioneerDr Samual Fisk Green

Author R.Ambihaipahar (Ambi)

Nineteenth Century American Medical Missionaries in Jaffna, Ceylon

(With special reference to Samuel Fisk Green) Author Thiru Arumugam

Dr Samual Fisk Green. Pioneer of Western Medical Education in Sri Lanka

Dr.Green’s First Hospital at Manipay

We are proud that the History of Medical Education has commenced in the North at Manipay in Sri Lanka

who served the American Ceylon Mission (ACM) in Jaffna, during the period (1847-1873).

On arrival in 1847, after a brief period of medical service at the ACM Centre at Vaddukoddai, Jaffna, he was moved to Manipay in 1848, by a decision

of the mission. At Manipay, he established the first hospital. There stands at Manipay the Green Memorial Hospital, which brings the revered memory of the pioneer services of this great medical evangelist.

In addition to the hospital, Dr Green established a medical school at Manipay to teach western medicine to the natives. That medical school has another ‘first’ to be proud of. It was in that medical school that Dr Green introduced Tamil language as the medium of instruction of western medical science - in 1860s.

Dr Green decided to introduce Tamil as the medium of instruction of western medical science

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so that he could get his students to settle down as physicians in the villages of their own people without leaving their villages for greener pastures government employment.

To teach western medicine in Tamil, he had to prepare technical terms in Tamil, translate western medical books into Tamil and write medical books in Tamil. This meant the development of medical and scientific Tamil as different from literary Tamil. There was also a need to write medical treatises in simple Tamil for the benefit of the common man - the layman. He boldly and with confidence, undertook all these challenges.

An overview of his pioneer undertakings... (1847 – 1873)• He taught western medicine to Tamils in

English.• He learnt the Tamil language and mastered it.• He prepared medical vocabulary in Tamil.• He wrote and translated medical books in Tamil.• He introduced Tamil as the medium of

instruction for western medicine.• He guided his students to translate medical

books into Tamil.• He edited and published medical books, over

4000 pages.• He wrote simple treatises in Tamil to educate

the layman.

Dr.Green’s First Medical Class

Dr.Green’s l i fe was dedicated to the Tamils. Even in his last days, ten years after leaving Jaffna, he expressed his wish to be remembered as Medical Evangelist to the Tamils. He had expressed this request in his last “Last Will”.

T h e r e q u e s t w a s observed and the inscri ption engraved on his gravestone. Today, his gravestone in the Rural Cemetery at Worcester, Massac husetts bears testi mony to his love and affection towards the Tamils amongst

whom he lived and to whom he dedicated his entire life.

Sponsored By MIOT (UK)

While some of our own medical graduates who received their free medical education from the tax payers’ money seek green pastures overseas immediately after passing out, the story of Dr.Samuel Fisk Green stands as an example how a physician should serve the people with dedication by being a true altruist.

Inscription at “Late.Dr.Green’s Gravestone”