Dilmah’s MJF Foundation and University of Colombo Faculty of Medicine unveil Early Intervention Clinic

Collaboration creates state of the art care - (standing from left): Faculty of Medicine Asst. Registrar – Gen. Admin. H. A.V. Hettiarachchi, Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Prof. H.D. Karunaratne, Dilmah Tea Chairman/CEO Dilhan C. Fernando, MJF Foundation Centres Manager Rehana Wettasinghe, Early Intervention Clinic Coordinator Dr. Dineshika Hettiarachchi 

MJF Foundation, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo inaugurated the opening of the Early Intervention Clinic, a ground-breaking facility dedicated to enhancing the lives of young children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other developmental disorders on 28 February. 

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place at the Faculty of Medicine Tower where MJF Foundation Chairman/CEO and Trustee Dilhan C. Fernando joined hands with University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Professor H. D. Karunaratne to formalize the partnership.

The Early Intervention Clinic represents a significant milestone in advancing the support available for families and caregivers of babies and toddlers with disabilities. The Clinic offers a multi sensorial support system where social integration meets specialized therapy and paediatric care. Manned by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of physio, occupational, speech and language therapists and medical practitioners, it is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and support parents and caregivers. 

Located at the Faculty of Medicine, the Clinic is in the vicinity of paediatric and maternity hospitals, further enhancing its accessibility for new-borns and children from diverse backgrounds and demographics who require specialized care. 

Early intervention is widely recognized as pivotal in enabling children with disabilities to achieve their full potential. Intervention soon after detection has shown to significantly improve outcomes for children at risk of developmental disorders, highlighting the critical importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.

“In most cases, children with disabilities will very rarely get a proper diagnosis” explained Vidya Jyothi University of Colombo Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake. This collaboration also offers more visibility and awareness for such initiatives. With a reach in over 100 countries, Dilmah’s support of projects such as this have the potential to inspire global interest in Sri Lanka’s efforts in healthcare, added Prof. Dissanayake.  This collaboration is one of many initiatives between Dilmah’s MJF Foundation and the Medical Faculty. The Foundation’s Centres while catering towards education and therapy for children with disabilities also serves as a centre for practical observations and clinical studies for undergraduates at the University. 

Dilmah’s unwavering commitment to serving individuals with disabilities is exemplified through a myriad of initiatives, including the management of the Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Developmental Disorders (CCCPDD) and the launch of disABILITY, Sri Lanka’s only trilingual channel on disability. Their centres in the East and West also conduct programs and offer facilities for special education and various forms of therapy for children and youth with disabilities. 

Commenting on the launch of the Early Intervention Clinic, Dilhan C. Fernando remarked, “At Dilmah, we believe that business is a matter of human service. The establishment of this Clinic underscores our commitment to serving humanity and creating a more inclusive society.” 

The Early Intervention Clinic is now open at the Faculty of Medicine. For further details contact: Faculty of Medicine Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Family Physician, Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics Dr. Dineshika Hettiarachchi, at [email protected] 

The opening Plaque

Early Intervention Unit