Lions Sight First Hospital
35, Hekitta Road, Hendala,
Watta
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A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LIONS SIGHT FIRST HOSPITAL
The principal agenda of the LCI during the late 20th century and since year 2000, was giving sight to the blind. With the launch of the International Sight First programme, the LCI encouraged Lion Districts and their Clubs in all the countries to embark on programmes to make this venture successful. In Sri Lanka the major cause of reversible blindness is Cataract either due to age related or Diabetes.
In 2003-2004 during the tenure as District Governor Dr. Rohan Perera along with some dedicated and committed Lions from Lions Club of Hendala embarked on building a Lions Eye Hospital to primarily perform Cataract surgery. Mainly among the poor and underprivileged population. This complemented the work done in State Hospitals.
Lion Dr Rohan Perera along with Lion Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus, PCC Lion Mohan De Silva, Lion Gerry Siriwardene, Lion Kumar Swaminathan, IPDG Lion Priyantha Fernando and Lion Priyaneetha Perera, from the District 306 B commenced to build this Eye hospital as an icon, on a property with an old disused dilapidated school on Government lease. Now this hospital consists of a ward with 15 beds, two operating theatres, screening room, Office and large waiting room. We are thankful to all the Lions, Lion Clubs, District Lion Ladies, friends and donors, for the financial and material aid donated and specially the North west Medical Team [introduced by Lion Emma Joseph] for donating Equipment worth Rs 7.8 Million. Dr Rohan Perera was appointed as the founder Chairman and Dr Malcolm Stanislaus as the Secretary.
Subsequently Lions Club of Hendala from among others was selected and given responsibility to check the day to day functioning of the hospital. PCC Mohan de Silva was appointed as fund raising chairman and he worked extremely hard to bring sponsorships even from Australia. Dr Malcolm was appointed as Director Administration and Finance.
Phase 1 commenced with the support of the indefatigable Consultant Ophthalmologist Lion Dr. Manel Pasquel.
We have come a long way since then and commissioned Phase 2 financed by the LCIF which included 2 new operating theatres, surgical equipment, and quarters for 04 nurses and an auditorium and a Tiffin room.
Currently the hospital is under the efficient and dedicated care of the Chairman Lion Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus ably supported by a team of efficient Board of Trustees, and 2 lion ladies Lion Lilamani Stanislaus and Lion Shiranthie De Silva.
Presently we have employed a permanent Eye Surgeon and 4 Visiting Eye Surgeons and medical officers, an administrative officer Mr. Lionel Perera and 10 nurses, two accounts executives. In order to balance the budget a decision was taken to encourage paying patients. We are very grateful to the PDG Lion S.Thangarajah and his Lion Ladies headed by Lion Sarva for modifying the old operating theatres and partitioning it to accommodate 06 paying patients.
The detection of Glaucoma and retinal problems are now routine, in addition in having our very own spectacle shop. Presently we are in dire need of a cafeteria. Since 17th Dec 2003 Prof. Chandrasekar Shetty the chief Technical Advisor to the Lions Sight First Program has paid many visits to the hospital to advice and Check the progress made.
Since inception in 2005 we have screened over 90000 patients in the OPD and over 50000 on Out Reach camps conducted in remote areas by the Hospital team and performed over 9000 cataract surgeries up to December 2013.
Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus
Chairman – Lions Sight First Hospital
