Visit to Kuumbi Kalee (IDH)

Prathibha Arsakularatna

17/08/2012 

Post number (1)

Visit to Kuumbi Kalee (IDH)

On the 4th day of our appointment we were supposed to visit "IDH"........ What is it? What those three letters stand for? ......... Though I had many questions about it, I didn't ask anybody simply because I was afraid of becoming the only person who didn't know.... ;).

After a journey for about 40 minutes we came to an ancient looking place which considerably deviates from the usual setup what we have seen at CSTH. Then we were settled in a place where I would call a conference hall , with basic facilities and good ventilation and natural light. We were given a lecture by the matron of the hospital for more than an hour, but I didn't feel how time passed as she was very friendly and cooperative with all of us.

During the lecture we got to know the basic history and some other details about the hospital.

(The most important thing which I got to know is that, IDH means- Infectious disease hospital J)

Regarding the information gathered about the hospital,

• Has a history for about 140yrs
• Built by the British government
• Situated at the highest place of Colombo area, 41 ft. from the sea level, to get adequate ventilation and as the closest place to Colombo harbor and air port.
• How the setup of the hospital did change with the threat of SARS.
• Present condition as a base hospital with a medical ward, pediatric ward, DM clinic, dengue campaign.. Etc.

Corridor in the Quarantine area

At the same time she proudly informed us, that they are said to be the best infectious disease hospital in south Asia!!!!!!!! , where I honestly felt proud about the staff members of the IDH for their achievement and for the service what they do to people who are really in need of help and care... 

We learned about Universal precautions as,

Our Fellow volunteer with PPE

• Hand washing
• Personnel protective equipment (PPE)
• Sterilization and Disinfection
• Waste management
• Environmental cleaning 

The PPE was consist of

·         Pyjamas

·         Overall

·         Polythene apron

·         N95 mask

·         Head covering cap

·         Goggles

·         Shoe covers

One of our colleagues had to become a volunteer to demonstrate correct method of wearing PPE and it was a nice experience for us where all became restless photographers of him J. Anyway special thanks should go to our friend, for giving support to learn about PPE. The matron also discussed about the order of wearing and removing of PPE and things what we should follow after accidental needle prick at ward.

Also we had a lecture from the director of the hospital. Though it was called a lecture on HIV, he mainly explained about the  modes of transmission which people are really unaware of, problems which those patients face, social stigma that has developed and how these affects their lives. He explained these with real life examples which made us to think twice.

Finally at the end of the day, what I felt was, both Matron and the director sir were trying to convey the same message for us, which is to follow the recommended precautions without negligence, and work in dedication with equal care and respect for each and every patient without bias.