Operating theatre lamp funded by Heart for Hearts run handed over to Health Ministry
Saturday, 25 January 2014 00:00
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Flora, the heart healthy spread, together with Sirasa/MBC Networks recently hosted the Heart for Hearts charity run, which raised funds for the cardiology unit of the Karapitiya Hospital, Galle.
At a ceremony held at the Health Ministry, officials from Flora and Sirasa/MBC Networks officially handed over the lamp for the operating theatre funded by the Heart for Hearts Charity Run.
The Karapitiya Hospital, considered a hub of healthcare services for the southern province, is a vital nerve centre that provides cardiology services and surgeries for the population there. Providing the much needed lamp for the operating theatre of the cardiology unit of the hospital, fulfils a long felt need, confirm officials.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena thanked Flora and Sirasa/MBC Networks for the initiative as key players representing the private sector. He stressed that for 2014, Rs. 157 billion has been allocated for the health sector by the government and that it is an investment made for the people, as a service provided to all Sri Lankans, rich or poor.
The significance of the lamp provided for the operating theatre of the leading hospital in the South, the Karapitiya Hospital, goes beyond the monetary value attached to it and ensures lives are saved as a part of a greater humanitarian mission, added the Minister.
Karapitiya Hospital Director Dr. Shelton Perera thanked Flora and Sirasa/MBC Networks for the gesture and commended the private sector participation in the maintenance of a State hospital.In his address, Unilever Communications Channel Manager Channa Tennakoon thanked the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports for the support given towards the successful outcome of Heart for Hearts.
He also reiterated Flora’s commitment to ensuring that the concept of Super Eight, a set of guidelines established towards developing a healthy lifestyle, is maintained and adhered to. He thanked Sirasa/MBC Networks for their partnership in staging the charity run.
Sirasa/MBC Networks Group Director Nedra Weerasinghe also addressed the gathering and expressed her organisation’s gratitude for being able to be a part of such a meaningful project.
The concept of Super Eight developed by Dr. Susie Perera, the immediate Past President of the Association of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka and endorsed by the Ministry of Health covers the areas of maintaining a healthy BMI, limiting the intake of sugar, salt and alcohol, giving up smoking, engaging in at least 30 minutes of exercise, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, daily intake of five portions of fruits and vegetables and limiting the intake of transfats.
In Sri Lanka today, cardiovascular health takes a prominent place, given the fact that one in every four hospital deaths results from heart disease. With an ageing population, experts believe that the country must review heart health as a priority and strive to incorporate healthy elements into the daily diet as much as possible.
