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AUSLMAT Medical Mission – August 2022

AUSLMAT Medical Mission to Sri Lanka

16th - 30th August 2022

We (AUSLMAT- Sri Lanka Australia Medical Aid Team) are planning our seventeenth Medical Mission to Sri Lanka from the 16th – 30th August 2022. This is a great opportunity for doctors and allied heath professionals interested in contributing to the local health system and for students to get some first-hand experience in healthcare delivery in a developing nation. As you are aware, Sri Lanka is going through an extremely difficult time at the moment, and our support will no doubt be greatly appreciated.

Currently, we have a group of about 10 people interested in joining the trip, including a Cardiologist, Cardiac Surgeon, Endocrinologist, a dentist, a general practitioner and an ED physician from Australia and the UK.

Trip activities include:

  • Visits to Jaffna, Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Rajarata University, Dehiattakandiya base hospital, Peradeniya Teaching hospital, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital (where we will be conducting teaching/ training sessions and workshops).

  • Free community medical clinics at Dehiattakandiya and Tissamaharama.

  • Fun activities and sight seeing: Cultural triangle, Kandy, Ella (including the famous Ella to Kandy train ride) Yala wildlife sanctuary, Tissamaharama beaches, Galle Fort, turtle hatchery, Udawalawe national park,  Ayurvedic health centre.

Contact us to express your interest and for further information.

PS: Hotel bookings, meals and local transport organized by Jetwing Travels. USD 1,600 for double room occupancy, USD 2,500 for single room occupancy.  Fuel supply for this trip is guaranteed. Cost excludes airfares.

Please visit our photo gallery on www.auslmat.org to see a snippet of our work, which many of you have so graciously contributed to in both time and money (for goods and transportation).   If you feel compelled to contribute, or know anyone who does want to further our cause, please click on the DONATE NOW button on almost every page of our website.  We will gladly accept any level of assistance.

AUSLMAT Medical Mission to Sri Lanka 16th – 30th August 2022

We (AUSLMAT – Sri Lanka Australia Medical Aid Team) are planning our seventeenth Medical Mission to Sri Lanka from the 16th – 30th August 2022. This is a great opportunity for doctors and allied heath professionals interested in contributing to the local health system and for students to get some first-hand experience in healthcare delivery in a developing nation. As you are aware, Sri Lanka is going through an extremely difficult time at the moment, and our support will no doubt be greatly appreciated.

Currently, we have a group of about 10 people interested in joining the trip, including a Cardiologist, Cardiac Surgeon, Endocrinologist, a dentist, a general practitioner and an ED physician from Australia and the UK.

Trip activities include:

  • Visits to Jaffna, Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Rajarata University, Dehiattakandiya base hospital, Peradeniya Teaching hospital, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital (where we will be conducting teaching/ training sessions and workshops).

  • Free community medical clinics at Dehiattakandiya and Tissamaharama.

  • Fun activities and sight seeing: Cultural triangle, Kandy, Ella (including the famous Ella to Kandy train ride) Yala wildlife sanctuary, Tissamaharama beaches, Galle Fort, turtle hatchery, Udawalawe national park,  Ayurvedic health centre.

Contact us to express your interest and for further information.

PS: Hotel bookings, meals and local transport organized by Jetwing Travels. USD 1,600 for double room occupancy, USD 2,500 for single room occupancy.  Fuel supply for this trip is guaranteed. Cost excludes airfares.

Please visit our photo gallery on www.auslmat.org to see a snippet of our work, which many of you have so graciously contributed to in both time and money (for goods and transportation).   If you feel compelled to contribute, or know anyone who does want to further our cause, please click on the DONATE NOW button on almost every page of our website.  We will gladly accept any level of assistance.

AUSLMAT “Heal Our Nation” Project Update

In partnership with #MedicalHelpSriLanka

Last updated: 7th August 2022

In response to many requests received from medical specialists in public hospitals and the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka, AUSLMAT has initiated the “Heal Our Nation” project to raise funds for medical supplies. Since the project was commenced in mid-April 2022, with immense community enthusiasm and support, we have so far raised over AUD 156,153 from which we have purchased the following equipment.

Item Quantity Cost (AUD)
Fisher and Paykel RT 265 breathing tubes donated to 7 NICU units
140
$ 9 870.00
Fisher and Paykel Neowraps donated to 7 NICU units
400
$ 964.00
Phosphate phebra tablets donated to 7 NICU units
5000
$ 3 384.00
Fresenius Kabi triple blood bags
1540
$ 14 638.00
Cefotaxime vials to Dehiattakandiya hospital
1 000 vials
$ 7 424.00
Valproate tab 200mg to Dehiattakandiya Hospital
36 000 tabs
$ 7 424.00
Ceftriaxone vials for A’pura hospital
1 000 vials
$ 7 424.00
Ceftriaxone vials for various hospitals
10 000 vials
$ 3 515.66
Nitric Oxide cylinders
5 cylinders
$ 16 138.44
Vygon central lines for NICU units
100
$ 10 951.00
Fisher and Paykel pediatric NIV masks for Sirimavi Hospital in Peradeniya and LRH
$ 1 880.00
Blood glucose / ketone strips
1000
$ 958.80
Paediatric suction catheters
$ 284.00
Paediatric laryngeal masks
100
$ 1 350.00
Blood pressure machines
$ 335.90

TOTAL EXPENSES (so far)

$ 71 693.80

Pending purchases (currently in the process of obtaining quotes / NMRA approval / transport from India):

  1. Medicines (Atracurium, Metronidazole, Erythropoietin and Sodium Valproate) –  for total cost of approximately AUD 50,000.
  2. CAPD solution bags for peritoneal dialysis patients – approximately AUD 30,000.

In addition, with the assistance of the global consortium #MedicalHelpSL, we have:

  • Coordinated the purchase and delivery of 4000 vials of Streptokinase, 20,000 vials of soluble insulin for other donor groups.
  • Assisting other fund raising teams to procure medicines and medical items for the Paediatric Liver Transplant Unit at North Colombo (Ragama) Teaching Hospital and Lady Ridgeway hospitals.

Coordination and delivery of donations worth over AUD 200,000:

AUSLMAT is currently coordinating the following donations and organizing delivery to Sri Lanka:

  • Paediatric equipment dinated from Dr. Nelu Simmons.
  • Medications donated by Generic Health.
  • Cardiac catheter equipment donated by Medtronic and Abbott, Australia.

Acknowledgements:

1000 vials of Cefotaxime and 36,000 tablets of Sodium Valproate for Dehiattakandiya Hospital handed over to Dr. Malaka Udugamage and team of doctors.

Donation of 1000 vials of Cetriaxone to A’pura hospital handed over to Prof. Sisira Siribaddana.

Donation of 1540 triple blood bags to the Blood Bank as a part of the donation of 5000 blood bags from #MedicalHelpSL.

Please visit our photo gallery on www.auslmat.org to see a snippet of our work, which many of you have so graciously contributed to in both time and money (for goods and transportation).   If you feel compelled to contribute, or know anyone who does want to further our cause, please click on the DONATE NOW button on almost every page of our website.  We will gladly accept any level of assistance.

Join with AUSLMAT to “Heal Our Nation”

Sri Lanka imports around 85% of its medical supplies. But with foreign currency reserves running low, doctors across the country say hospitals are running out of medicines and essential supplies as the country’s economic crisis worsens. We are working in partnership with the global fundraising network #MedicalHelpSL to raise funds for essential medicines and medical items and sending them to hospitals in need.

You can help:

Itinerary: SRI LANKA Trip August 2022

Itinerary: SRI LANKA Trip August 2022

 

Day 0: 16th Aug (Tuesday)

4:00 pm depart Melbourne Airport

10:30 pm arrive Katunayake Airport, Sri Lanka

Stay night in Negombo

 

Day 1: 17th Aug (Wednesday)

Drive to A’Pura (4 hours) en route Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Visit Anuradhapura Hospital
Stay the night in A’pura

 

Day 2: 18th Aug (Thursday)

Visit Rajarata Uni AM Drive to Jaffna
Stay in Jaffna

 

Day 3: 19th Aug (Friday)

Visit Jaffna hospital / sight seeing

Stay in Jaffna

 

Day 4: 20th Aug (Saturday)

Drive back to A’pura

Sight seeing
Stay at …………

 

Day 5: 21st Aug (Sunday)

Sigiriya / Dambulla rock temple

Minneriya elephant park or sight seeing

Stay in Pollonnaruwa

 

Day 6: 22nd Aug (Monday)

Drive to Dehiattakandiya (1 hour from Polonnaruwa)

DK hospital visit

Clinic in DK

Stay the night in DK

 

Day 7: 23rd Aug (Tuesday)

Drive to Kandy ( 3 hours)
Visit Digana hospital en route

? Peradeniya Teaching Hospital

Pera botanical gardens / Kandy town / Stay in Kandy

 

Day 8: 24th Aug (Wednesday)

Ella train ride (Ella Odyssey) from Kandy to Ella
Ella sight seeing Ravana falls / Ravana caves / Little Adam’s peak Stay in Ella 98 Acres

 

Day 9: 25th Aug (Thursday)

Ella sight seeing

Drive to Tissa (2 and a half hours) ? can drive through Yala

Stay in Tissa

 

Day 10: 26th Aug (Friday)

Clinic in Tissa

Meet KKS kids

Stay in Tissa

 

Day 11: 27th Aug (Saturday)

Drive to Karapitiya

Karapitiya hospital (PM)
– Visit Galle Forte, Stay in Galle

 

Day 12: 28th Aug (Sunday)

Karapitiya hospital (AM)
Drive to Udawalawe (1 and a half hours)

Udawalawe National Park safari
Stay night in Udawalawe

Visit Digana hospital en route

 

? Peradeniya Teaching Hospital

 

Day 13: 29th Aug (Monday)

Drive to Colombo

En route attractions: Padukka hospital (where the freezer was donated) and Pilapitiya Ayurveda Hospital
Stay in Colombo

 

Day 14: 30th Aug (Tuesday)

Spend in Colombo , visit Ministry of Health
– Port City, Old Dutch Hospital
– Fly back to Melbourne, arriving in Melbourne at 2.30pm on the 31st

 

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

 

Please join AUSLMAT to provide critically needed medical supplies to Sri Lanka

Thank you to all those who have offered to join AUSLMAT in helping the collapsing health system in Sri Lanka during the current economic crisis. Government hospitals are fast running out of a number of essential medicines and surgical supplies, leading to the loss of innocent lives.

The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) has published a list of urgently required medicines.

Please click the link to see the Diplomatic Letter with Urgent List.

Many of you may have received direct requests from the hospitals.  Surgeries are being cancelled due to shortage of anaesthetic drugs, and lives lost due to the shortage of clot dissolving drugs like Streptokinase, given to people with acute strokes and heart attacks.

Our plan is to purchase medical equipment, such as neonatal/paediatric breathing tubes, and air-freight them to Sri Lanka. We are also exploring the option of purchasing a few essential medicines directly from the pharmaceutical companies that regularly supply Sri Lanka. All items will be sent to individual hospitals with critical needs and the President of the Sri Lankan Medical Association (Prof. Samath Dharmaratne) has agreed to take the responsibility of overlooking the distribution of the supplies locally.

You can donate by clicking the DONATE NOW button at the top of the page.

A tax receipt will be automatically generated for tax purposes within Australia. Our finances are externally audited at the end of each financial year. AUSLMAT is an ACNC registered not-for-profit medical charity in Australia.

Thank your for your valuable contributions!

Thank you generous contributors (Oct 2021 Update)

The AUSLMAT SRI LANKA COVID ASSISTANCE APPEAL was initiated on 30 May 2021, in response to many requests from Sri Lankan public hospitals for medical assistance to combat the escalating COVID crisis. With immense community enthusiasm and support, we have been able to raise over AUD 196,000 (>Rs 28 Million), from which we have purchases the following equipment.

COVID positive patient managed using the CPAP device, masks and syringe drive donated by AUSLMAT, at Dehiattakandiya Base Hospital, Ampara District (published with permission)

Donations of the following equipment were gratefully received:

  • Four used AIRVO’s and 2 CPAP machines from Monash Health
  • Four CPAP machines from Sleep Matters
  • 13 CPAP machines with accessories from Austin Health Sleep lab
  • Diabetes testing equipment
  • Infusion sets from Braun
  • Hudson masks from Tecmedic
  • One new AIRVO+ accessories and O2 concentrator from SCCSF
  • Three (used) cardiac monitors from St. John of God Hospital

 

All hospitals have confirmed that all equipment has been received, and registered with the respective hospital Inventories.  Warranty and maintenance for the equipment sent from Australia have been covered by the Biomedical Dept, in the Health Ministry.

 

We have assisted the following hospitals:

[1] Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Methsiri Sewana Covid Treatment Centre 
  • Four Phillips G30 multipara monitors
  • One Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae (x 20) and heated breathing tubes (x 20), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Two Optimum Exceed glucometers with ketone strips
  • Two Oxygen Concentrators (10L)
  • RESMED STELLAR biPAP unit with x5 leak port valves, x5 grey tubing, 6 masks, instruction DVD and warranty card and box of Filters (x50)
  • One (used) AIRVO 2 with Optiflow cannulae

[2] Bandarawela Hospital 
  • One Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae (x 20) and heated breathing tubes (x 20), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Two Optimum Exceed glucometers with strips
  • Two Oxygen Concentrators (10L)
  • RESMED STELLAR biPAP unit with x5 leak port valves, x5 grey tubing, 6 masks, instruction DVD and warranty card and box of Filters (x50)
  • One (used) AIRVO 2 with Optiflow cannulae

[3] Kamburugamuwa New District Hospital, Matara.
  • One Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae (x  20) and heated breathing tubes (x 20), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Two Optimum Exceed glucometers with strips
  • Two Oxygen Concentrators (10L)
  • RESMED STELLAR biPAP unit with x5 leak port valves, x5 grey tubing, 6 masks, instruction DVD and warranty card and box of Filters (x50)
  • One (used) AIRVO 2  with Optiflow cannula

 

Dr Sanjeewa Amadoru (Assistant Medical Director) and Dr Chamidu Weerasinghe (Anaesthetist) at Kamburugamuwa Hospital accepting the equipment sent by AUSLMAT.

 

[4] Kosgama Divisional Hospital
  • One Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae (x 20) and heated breathing tubes (x 20), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Glucometer with strips
  • Three Oxygen Concentrators (10L)
  • Box of nasal cannulae (x50), oxygen delivery masks

[5] District General Hospital, Negombo.   
  • Three Oxygen Concentrators (10L)
  • Box of nasal cannulae (x50) , oxygen delivery masks
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Two used CPAP machines, adult and paediatric masks
  • Glucometer and lancets

[6] Kegalle District Hospital
  • One Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae (x 20) and heated breathing tubes (x 20), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Glucometer with strips
  • Extra box of heated breathing tubes x10 units for Airvo
  • One used AIRVO with 4 nasal cannulae and 6 heated breathing tubes.
  • Two used CPAP machines, adult and paediatric masks, glucometer and lancets

[7] Dehiattakandiya Hospital                   
  • One used CPAP machine with masks
  • 10 Oximeters
  • Glucometer and lancets
  • Four SK infusion pumps
  • Four SK syringe pumps
  • One oxygen concentrator(10L)
  • One ICU monitor
  • One blood gas analyser
Dr Malaka Udugamage and the other doctors at DH with the equipment sent from here and bought in SL.

[8] Wethara Hospital
  • One Oxygen Concentrator (10L) and a box of 50 nasal cannulae
Dr Aruna Kumarasinghe and staff at Wethara Hospital with equipment sent by AUSLMAT.
[9] General Hospital, Chilaw
  • Two Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae ( x 40) and heated breathing tubes (x 40), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • Two used CPAP machines with 6 non-vent masks

 

 [10]  Pimbura Base Hospital
  • One Fisher and Paykel AIRVO 2 unit with Optiflow nasal cannulae ( x 20) and heated breathing tubes (x 20), mounting tray, Mobile pole
  • Two used CPAP machines with 6 non-vent masks

 

[11] Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya (Sent to  Prof Vasanthi Pinto to distribute to rural centres)
  • 10 (used) CPAP machines with tubing
  • 3 boxes of bacterial filters for masks
  • 95 Non- vent CPAP /biPAP masks
  • 50 regular biPAP /CPAP masks for adults and paeds
  • 200 infusion pump sets
  • 250 nasal oxygen cannulae with tubing
  • 12 additional Airvo chambers
  • Diabetes testing / treatment equipment (> 500 pen needles, x13 Optium Exceed glucometers, x2 fast clix, x2 insulin delivery pens, x2 cooler packs, x3 boxes of softclix (x200 in each box)
Wathupitiwela Hospital – donation of 2 infusion pumps
[12] One multipara monitor donated to NHSL Colombo, Army Hospital and Kalubowila hospital
National Hospital, Colombo- donation of multipara monitor
Army Hospital – donation of multipara monitor
Kalubowila Hospital – donation of multipara monitor

 

[13] Pentax portable bronchoscope ordered for Ratnapura hospital

 

Partnering community groups:

  1. Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara, Berwick
  2. Buddhist Temple Daham Niketanaya, Yuroke
  3. Dhamma Sarana Temple /BSAV, Keysborough
  4. Sinhala Cultural and Community Services Foundation
  5. OAAV (Ananda Old Boy’s Association, Victoria)
  6. Lak Medura Foundation, Craigieburn
  7. Devi Balika OGA, Sydney
  8. Lakhanda Media Centre
  9. Lion’s Club, Dandenong

 

Our sincere gratitude goes out to all the businesses and individuals who have made generous contributions towards our appeal.

**UPDATE** 31/05 ASSISTANCE FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN SRI LANKA DURING THE COVID CRISIS

AUSLMAT has provided emergency medical assistance to Sri Lanka since the 2004 Tsunami, and our voluntary specialist medical teams have visited SL over 16 times since, providing teaching, training and medical assistance to rural hospitals and communities. AUSLMAT has played a pivotal role in funding the new Accident & Emergency Department at the Karapitiya Hospital and establishing the Coronary Care unit there with funds obtained from the Victorian Government and other donors. (Please visit our website: https://auslmat.org for details of our previous activities)

We have continued to offer our support to the local healthcare system in the recent years by providing resources to the Rajarata University medical library and a large refrigeration facility to Padukka Divisional Hospital. Last week we bought four Phillips G30 monitors for Anuradhapura Teaching hospital and the newly established Methsirisewana COVID referral center from our existing funds.

Photo: Handing over of the Phillips cardiac monitors to Prof. Sisira Siribaddana, Rajarata University.

We have received a number of urgent requests for assistance from hospital staff all over Sri Lanka in the past few weeks as essential medical supplies and equipment are mostly out of stock at local dealers. Therefore with the support of the community living in Melbourne, we are keen to raise funds to purchase much needed respiratory support equipment for emergency and critical care departments and newly established COVID treatment centers all across Sri Lanka. So far with your support we have been able to secure four Fisher & Paykel AIRVO-2 High Flow Oxygen Delivery Systems and 5 Oxygen concentrators and this week we are hoping to purchase as many items as our funds would facilitate, such as hospital-grade biPAP machines, ventilators, HDU / ICU monitors, ICU beds and IV infusion sets. The equipment will be sent to Sri Lanka on a returning Air Lanka flight, which will be coordinated via the Consulate General of SL in Melbourne and distributed to designated COVID treatment facilities across Sri Lanka via the Ministry of Health. Our organization is registered as a not-for-profit charity in Australia, and therefore donations are tax- deductible and 100% of the funds go towards the purchase of medical equipment, with no administrative costs.

There are a number of ways you could contribute to our project:

  1. Individuals wishing to make personal donations can donate using the “Donate Now” icon on our website: https://auslmat.org, and they will receive a receipt automatically which can be used for taxation purposes.
  2. Organizations wishing to make group donations for a particular item can contact me directly (contact details below), and I am happy to provide quotes for a particular item/s. Payments can be made directly to the dealer, or through our organization.
  3. If organizations wish to transfer the money to our account to purchase particular items from a quote, please email me the following details:
    • Group/Individual names of donors who wish to be included in the thank you letter
    • Names and email addresses of individuals needing individual tax receipts (with the amount donated)
    • Total amount transferred by the group and
    • If you would like it to be sent to a particular COVID centre in Sri Lanka

 

Dr. Erosha Premaratne , on behalf of the AUSLMAT team

Email AUSLMAT team on admin@auslmat.org.

My tel: 0437321105

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