Monday, 12 August 2013 00:13
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Sri Lanka’s first private healthcare institution, Nawaloka Hospital, launched the ‘Nawaloka Cardiac Club’, an informative and motivational support group last month, with a gathering for a group of patients who have successfully undergone bypass surgeries in the hospital’s heart centre.
Inaugurated by Jayantha Dharmadasa, Chairman of Nawaloka Hospital, Prof. Lal Chandrasena, Director/General Manager of Nawaloka Hospital and Dr. Richard Saldanha, Resident Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, this program is the first in an ongoing series of such events which will bring together groups of post-bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery) patients in various stages of recovery and those who have already returned to a more active and satisfactory lifestyle.
As part of the program, Dr. Richard Saldanha made a presentation which focused on dietary and lifestyle changes that are required of a bypass patient, stressing on the importance of exercise and control of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Regular check-ups and weight control are also of the utmost importance when maintaining one’s health post by-pass surgery, according to him.
A Q&A session which followed gave participants the opportunity to express their views on the new lease of life this surgery has provided them with and voice their concerns regarding everything from the ideal time duration for daily exercise to the possible recurrence of this condition.
These queries were readily answered by a panel comprising Dr. Saldanha and three other leading consultant doctors.
Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Lal Chandrasena said: “Our objective in forming this Cardiac Club is to bring together patients who have undergone a bypass surgery, so they are able to gain strength from the fact that there are others who have had a similar experience, and to exchange ideas. Furthermore, they will have access to advice from a panel of doctors regarding their concerns, which they would otherwise have to obtain through the channelling process.”
