M.A.G.D. Wimukthi
GROUP   B
FMS/R/ 2974
POST   03

Today is first day of 3^rd week in our clerkship programe. Another new experience to us at Raddoluwa water treatment and. sewerage plant

We arrived there at around 8.30 am. 

This water treatment plant commenced in 1987.

.It is belongs to National water supply and drainage board. Plant now contain 2 treatment units. 

older one use to water supply to houses in the scheme and new one use supply the water to houses in the village and Katunayaka industrial zone.

Dandugan oya is the water resource for the plant. From there water pumps to well in the plant through large pipes. Then aeration process go on. In this step water mix with O_{2 .} Cascade method is use in old plant and disc method use in plant. Ions and other harmful particles. In the water are broken down during this process by oxidized water.

After the aeration AL₂(SO₄)₃ and Ca(OH)₂ is added. Ca(OH)₂ increase the pH of media and promote the formation of mud floccules by Al₂(SO₄)_3.

Then water sends to sedimentation tanks. These tanks are 15 feet in depth. Water slowly flows through parallel steel plates in zig-zag way. During the flow mud floccules hit the plates. floccules sink and collect at bottom of tank. Water flows in to the filters

Mud free water come to the filtering process. 

Normally filters composed of ,

                  Superficial (sand) layer

                 Middle (granite chip) layer

                Deep (concrete slabs with nozzles) layer.

Small particles retained in the filters. When filters are obstruct by these particles back wash the filters with air and cleaned water.

Cleaned water ten came to storage tanks. 2tanks .One is on the ground and other one is in the ground.  Chlorination is performed   at storage tank. This is usually done by bubbling of chlorine gas.

Finally distribute to their customers. Mud floccules and back washed water return to lower level of Dandugan oya.

That is the process of water treatment plant. All of these information gave to us by Officer in the water board.

So this is the end of my post 03. We will meet again with post 04.

M.A.M.K.JAYASUMANA,
2012.08.27

WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT RADDOLUGAMA

Do you use pipe born water?

Definitely your answer should be ‘yes’.But ever did you think that, how has these water been treated?

27.08.2012-We visited to water treatment plant at Raddolugama,to see how our water sources was treated before distribute.

Raddolugama water treatment contains 2 treatment units which supply water to houses in the scheme ,surrounding villege, Wijaya kumaratunge memorial hospital, police station and army base Seeduwa, and Katunayaka industrial zone.

This treatment process is contained several steps.

1. Pump from the river- water is pumped from 2 large wells that situated near the Dandugan oya.

2. Aeration- In this step water is whirled in the air to mix with oxygen. While mixing with oxygen, water is oxidized and ions and other particles in the water are broken down. During aeration  Al₂SO₄ and Ca(OH)₂ is added.

3 .Sedimentation- In the sedimentation tank ,water slowly flows through parallel steel plates which stand at an angle. When the mud floccules hit the plates, floccules sink and are collected in the bottom of the tank. During this process mud and other particles are separated from the water.

4. Filtering- Mud free water then enter to filter tanks. Filters are composed of,

                          Superficial layer-sand

                          Middle layer-granite chips                                                            

                          Deeper layer-Concrete slabs with nozzles

5. Storage- Filtered water is stored in tow large tanks which are cowered by granite chips to avoid get heated from direct sun light.

6. Clorination- clorine gas is bubbled through the water in storage tanks .

7.Distribution-Pumps to regional tanks and then to houses.  

me of student /Date of Visit/post number (1/2/3/4 etc)

The Home Of “The Incurables”

Nishadi Navaratna
post number 3

Victoria home is located on the busy streets of Sri Jayewardenepura Mawatha in Rajagiriya.

It was founded by the Governor Sir Arthur Gordon to commemorate the Coronation Jubilee of Queen Victoria
There are about 180  inmates,both male and female between the ages of18-55
and a staff including matron,nurses,attendants.
The home provides foods,shelter,sanitary facilities,lockers,wheelchairs &
medication for those who are physically handicapped by birth,accidents or by illness
They are taken on trips,to cinema and other entertainment programmes.many of them are engaged
in the manufacture of handicraft items.

Victoria home is not only a home but also a heaven for its inhabitants who accept their fate with grace..

A friend in Need is a friend indeed.

Thilini Dilhara Premasiri.
29/8/2012
Post 3

                                                              The oldest charitable organization in the Sri Lanka, The Colombo Friend in Need society which is situated facing Gangarama Seema  Malakaya at Sir James Peris Mawatha, Colombo 2. It is established in 1831.It is more than 180yrs old.

 

                                                              Its main function is manufacturing artificial limbs for amputees who have lost their limb because of Diabetes, Road traffic accidents, osteosarcoma, Infections, congenital deformities, leprosy…….ect

                                                             Other than manufacturing limbs, at the institute they give exercise, physiotherapy and gait training for the patient for stump conversion. After fitting of the prosthesis, patients are trained how to effectively use it and manage their work.

                                                             In the institute the hostel facilities are given for those who have traveled from distance. And also they have arranged mobile bus limb fitting work shop for amputees who is unable to attend the institute.

                                                           They provide education grants to disabled children. And they arranged pension scheme for disabled elders. There also Aidex annual sports meet and self employment grants.

                                                          The Colombo Friend in Need is funding by Social service ministry, donors and NGOs (Rotaract club, Lion’s club and BOC)

                                                             The Colombo Friend in need gain their referrals via MO of hospitals. NGOs, and also walk in basis. They provide limbs, free of charge who is submitting Gramaniladhari certificates.

            

                                                      

                                   

                                  Child welfare clinic
 

Last Thursday our visit was to Child welfare clinic at Dehiwala MOH office. CWC is conducted by MOH and several PHMs three days per week to provide health care facilities to children up to 5 years of age. As it was a rainy day there were not many mothers when we arrived at the MOH office.

A neonate should attend the clinic after 1 month of age and get registered at the clinic. Then once a month up to 2 years, and once in 3 months from 2 years to 5 years. At the clinic weight and height are measured and marked in the child health and development record. At risk babies, can be identified and early interventions can be taken due to this method. ‘seca’ scale is used to measure weight of babies younger than 6months, ‘salter’ scale to weight babies older than 6months. If the weight gain is inadequate, 24 hour dietary recall is done to identify unhealthy eating habits, errors in breast feeding, inappropriate complimentary feeding. Adequate history is taken to exclude other causes like recurrent infections, congenital heart defects etc. Appropriate dietary advice is given to the mother regarding preparing meals for the baby. If the weight is lower than – 2SD a packet of ‘Thriposha’  will be given. Length of the baby is measured at the age of 4, 9, and 18 months.

Another important function of CWC is provision of immunization according to the national EPI schedule. Records are maintained via CHDR. Part B is kept with the PHM and PART A with the mother. Vaccines are stored and prepared without interrupting the cold chain at the clinic setup, to ensure efficacy of the vaccines.

The ultimate goal of conducting child welfare clinic is to secure the health of children that in turn ensures a healthy future generation of the country. 

Measurement of weight using "Seca" scale.

Manisha Rajakaruna
29.08.2012
post 3

Dharani wijayawardhane
29.08.2012
Post 3

                                     On 29 th of August it was sheduled for us to visit child welfare clinic at Karagampitiya.There we were given discription about what is done in the child welfare clinic and what is expected from the clinic.that day also was a clinic day and mothers had come with there children.
                                    We took histories from the mothers.Most of them have come to get vaccinations for there children.We observed the procedures happening there,measuring weight,length,vaccinations etc.
                                    Weight of the child is measured up to 5 years.Up to 6 months weight is measured at the child welfare clinic every month and after 6 months weight is measured at the weighing post.
                                   At the clinic weight is measured and marked on the CHDR (Child Health Development Record). If the weight is not on the proper range,mothers were given dietary advices to achieve the expected weight.Thriposha is given to all childrenwhose weight is below -2SD.Up to 6 months weight is measured with Seca scale and then up to 5 years with Soltar scale.
                Growth Faultries are,
                                   1.same wewight
                                   2.less than previously measured weight
                                   3.less than the expected weight                                                                                                  
                  Length is measured with Seca infantometer up to the age of 1 1/2 years and with sematometer up to the age of 3 years.
                                 And also we observed the vaccinations given to the children.The visit was a very good opportunity for us to see the practical aspect of  the health system.

Raddolugama Water Treatment Plant

Chameera Punchihewa
28/08/2012
3rd post

Have you ever thought twice..

about the water that comes gushing out of a opened tap before you drink it, wash with it or use it for any other purpose? most people would answer this question with a 'No'.. frankly I hadn't given it much thought either.. not until the day we visited the Raddolugama Water Treatment Plant that is.

             Established in 1982 to provide safe drinking water to the residents of the Raddolugama housing scheme, the largest housing scheme in the country comprising of over 2400 houses this water treatment plant in the present day supplies 4500 m³ of water expanding its reach to the Wijaya Kumarathunga memorial hospital, the army base and police HQ of Seeduwa and the Katunayake industrial zone.

                Water is pumped from the Dandugama oya which is the main water source for the plant. the water reaching the plant undergoes various treatment processes such as ;-

• Aeration - O2 is mixed with the water, the oxidation process leading to removal of harmful particles/ gasses from the water

• Coagulation - addition of Chemicals such as Alum (aluminium sulphate) which combines with mud particles to form mud floccules &  Ca(OH)2 which maintains a pH of 7.0 in the water

• Sedimentation - water is made to flow through parallel steel plates, forcing the formed mud floccules to separate and collect at the bottom of the tanks.

       A 'pulsator' type clarifier is used and the sludge formed at the  base is removed by 4 valves.

  

• Filtration - each filter consists of 3 layers. a superficial layer of sand, middle layer of granite and the deepest layer of concrete. helps to filter out smaller particles which evaded the previous steps.                    the filtered water is next sent to 2 large Storage tanks ( 2000 m³ ) prior to chlorination.

• Chlorination - chlorine is added until a concentration of 1mg/L is reached

• Distribution - prior to distribution the water in its final stage is assessed once in every 2 weeks in regional labs to see if recommended Biological O2 demand (BOD), chemical O2 demand (COD), desired pH levels are reached   
• 
  
  

I have a dream.....

Tharindu De Mel
29th, August, 2012

                                                 I have a dream.... ABBA

 I  have a Dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in Angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in Angels
When I know the time is right for me
Ill cross the stream, I have a Dream..........

 

Every human being lives because of dreams. Its these dreams which drive you forward. Its dreams which give you a reason to look forward for tomorrow.

 

But these dreams differ from person to person. For some it may be buying a new car, a new house, reaching the pinnacle of academic excellence... etc.. but for others it could be so simple that one would wonder whether it was worth dreaming for.

 

Think of a soldier who has lost his leg to a land mine. What would he dream of? He wont dream of a car, a house or anything fancy. All he would want is to be able to walk, run, jump, hop the way he did as in the past.

 

There is no better satisfaction than helping another human being achieve their dream. "Colombo friend in need" established in 1831 who's main function is manufacturing of artificial limbs for amputees can no doubt be content that it has rendered a yeoman service to mankind in this regard.

 

A prosthesis is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part to get normal function and cosmetic appearance. Orthotics is the design and use of an orthopaedic device that supports or corrects the function of a limb or torso.

 

Orthotics are used to,

1. Correct the deformity

2. To prevent further deformity.

3. To control involuntary movement.

4. As a support to body weight.

 

 

Other than manufacturing artificial limbs to amputees it provides the following services.

 

1. Transient hostel facilities

     Particularly for who come from rural areas, food and   accomadation is provided free of charge till they are fitted with artificial limbs.

2. Mobile workshop.

     A bus which has been turned into a mobile workshop travels to all parts of the island to fit artificial limbs to amputees who are unable to come to Colombo.

3. Physiotherapy, exercise and gait training for clients so that they can lead a normal life.

4. Education grants to disabled elders and a pension scheme for disabled elders.

5. Organizing a sportsmeet for artificial limb users at the end of the year.

 

 While Mr. Nepala, the Asst. Workshop Manager was briefing us on how these artificial limbs were made, we met a 60 year old man who had come all the way from Naththandiya. He was getting used to walk in his new transfemoral prosthesis. Though I felt sorry for him when I saw him, his happy and cheerful smile baffled me. "What is he so happy about?" i thought.





Then I realized. All of us have dreams. For some of us those dreams are so complex that they can never be achieved. But for this poor man, his simple dream of walking just as he did before his leg was amputated has just been fulfilled. Tears filled my eyes to see him walk around just like a kid would when making his first steps. Colombo friend-in-need has just helped another innocent human being achieve his dream.

 

 Victoria home, a shelter to physically disabled

 Sumudu Siriwardena
 01/09/2012
 post 3

Saturday 1st of September 2012,we went to visit Victoria home at Rajagiriya.As we set foot inside we felt something different about this place.The garden was clean,tidy and well maintained.There was a huge statue of Lord buddha in the center of the garden.As we enter the main hallway there was a beautiful fish tank filled with lots of fish in one corner and a glass cabinet which was filled with soft toys and some handcrafts in the opposite corner which we later learn as made by some of the inmates.

We were warmly welcomed by house director Mr Thewarapperuna & he gave us a overall introduction about the history of the home,its staff,funds,the process of admission.its inmates and about the facilities which been provided to them.

Victoria home was established in 1988 near the Eye hospital of Colombo by the governor of Ceylon Sir Arthur Gorden in order to celebrate the coronation jubilee of queen Victoria and then been shifted to its present place in1960.

Currently there are 175 inmates,99 females& 76 males whom were taken care by the director, a sister,a matron, 2 nurses and attendants who are consist of 50 people all together

It is under government but not under any ministry or department.It is been maintained by funds they are annually receiving from the government & donations from charitable organization and indivituals.Currently even though they do not accept new patients due to lack of space,still there s a waiting listof 15-20 patients to get admitted here.They are only recruiting candidates who are physically hanicapd by birth,accident or illness between the age 18-55.Addmission is by filling a form which can be collected from the office and should handover again  to director which is certified by "Grama niladari" and a government doctor on the patients medical condition.Then its been sent to ministry of health services from where most suitable patients are selected.

Inmates are provided with food,clothes and shelter free of charge andattend to their medical conditions weekly,but not having a physiotherapist or rehabilitation programms are few of the drawbacks we have seen during our visit.They have a special vehicle to take inmates to a hospital in a case of an emergency.Anual 3 day trips,a sportday organized by the lions club,going to cinema,reading books and newspapers,playing games are few of the special activities they participate in.
 
About 75 inmates are engaged in making of handicrafts which they have got a special opportunity to sell them at Hammedias Crescat branch and the proceeds are distributed among themselves.

After listening to the introductory lecture we were given the opportunity to talk to some of the inmates.Most of them were severely handicapped and some of them were mentally retarded as well.Most of them were in wheelchairs,and some of them were bound to their beds,but surprisingly still there spirits were high.They welcomed us warmly and talked to us quite happily some of them even volunteered to show us around.They told us about their life stories,sang for us,some of them showed us the soft toys they are working on and some of us even had a chance to listen to a 'sasthara' from one of the inmates.

At the end of the day we left Victoria home  with mixed feelings.i felt quite sorry for them and at the same time truly appreciate the strength some of them display by accepting their disabilities and facing the life with courage.............

 .

Who are they??

Iresha Upulinee
29th, August, 2012

Who are they??

What will you feel when you lose one of your leg?

Even thinking about it is difficult, isn’t it?

It shows become a disabled person is how painful for us. They are having fewer opportunities to reach their goals than a non-disabled one.

When we study about these people they are not only having medical disability, they are having some social disabilities, but others are not sense about it. They cannot compensate the wrong of their body with the social activities what they really need to do as a normal person in a society. It means in addition to the treatments they need some psychological support as well.

There’s a different between impairment and disability.

IMPAIRMENT- An injury, illness or congenital condition that causes long term effect on physical appearance and/or limitation of functions.

DISABILITY- Loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in society on an equal level with others due to social and environmental barriers.

Colombo Friend id Need society is a Non Government Organization established in 1831 to help disabled people in Sri Lanka. The main functions those are conducting by them are;

v  Manufacturing artificial limbs for amputees.

v  Mobile work shop for distance services.

v  Education grants to disabled children.

They make both prosthetics and orthotics;

PROSTHESIS- Devices use to replace a missing body part.

ORTHOTICS- An orthopedic device that supports or corrects the function of a limb or trunk.

Disabled person is referred to this place by a Medical Officer in a hospital or through Gramasewaka in their area.

On admission they access the suitability of the stump to wear an artificial limb. If it is not suitable or having an abnormal shape the physiotherapist in the organization prepare the stump. When he explained about it he said that the conical shape is the best shape to wear prosthesis as it can bare more weight. He further said that by giving exercises to the stump and by bandaging the stump can make it more suitable. When we visit their workshop it consists number of prosthetics in different shapes and for different leg levels.

According to the workshop manager they have started to make prosthesis by using Aluminium. It was low cost. After the limb fitted to the amputee they start to train the person to work with the artificial limb.

Several years later one of a consultant in rehabilitation medicine has sent them some plastic artificial limbs. From that they used to make plastic limbs instead of Aluminium ones. Those are lighter than Aluminium ones.

When we were in the work shop we met a 60 years old male from Naaththandiaya walking around the shop. He was wearing a new plastic transfemoral prosthetic, and there was another prosthetic on his hand; it was an Aluminium one. Mr. Nepala, the assistant work shop manager has introduced him a new plastic limb and that the one he was wearing when we see him. The manager has also asked him to thrown away his old Aluminium limb. But when we see him after several hours later he was hanging the old one in his hand.

 I was wonder; even the new one is lighter than the older one he was unable to remove it away

A True Friend For The Friends With Needs.

Pasan Gaminda
24/08/2012
Post 3

Colombo Friend in need society has a history of more than 180 years.It is the oldest charity organization in the country.Currently they are the major manufacturers of artificial limbs in Sri Lanka.
 

The society provides various types of artificial limbs.(Both prostheses and orthoses.)
In the case of lower limb amputees they produce hip disarticulation prostheses,trans femoral,through knee,trans tibial,through ankle(syme) and mid foot prostheses.And for upper limb amputees,through shoulder,above elbow,below elbow and cosmetic hands are produced.

For the people with deformities and injuries they provide orthoses and walking aids.Including leg calipers,knee braces,back splints,scoliosis braces,cervical collars,crutches,wheelchairs and walkers.It is helpful in correcting the deformity and preventing further deformity.

The society provides accommodation for disabled people coming from rural areas.Food and shelter is given till they are fitted with artificial limbs.A bus that was donated by Princess of Wales memorial fund is converted to a mobile workshop and now is involved in servicing the patients who are unable to come to Colombo.


The service of the society extends far beyond the manufacturing of limbs.they provide educational grants for the disabled children,pension schemes for disabled elders and self employment grants.Several amputees who received vocational training are currently working at the workshop.

shajani udumullage
post no 3
2012 August 29
                                   Healthy Children for Healthy Country!

Today we had another chance of seeing an important aspect of public health. As prevention always has it's own value more than cure, public health services are really important.

 It's a heavy rainy day, it was bit late when we reach there.Rain has stopped, and we kept on searching the place as first we could not find it.

 It situated in busy environment, lots of houses in small space, many people living in that small street.Actually even if the surrounding area is bit disgusting, it changes when we entered the place.

It was upstaire building, with very clean and pleasant look.When we went there, there were few mothers with their babies. They are from age of  about 2months to 1year. They have visited the clinic even in that heavy rain which we thought that this place must be a very important for them. Some of midwives were there busy with arranging the place.

Then we started our work, to take histories from mothers. They seems to be waiting anxiously till their numbers called, some didn't pay much attention for our questions. So we have to ask again and again the same thing to clarify what they say.

Public health midwives were there, and AMOH to help these mothers with their problems.
We watch how medical officer examine those babies.

We saw in one place there is a load of some packets. Those were thriposha packets. AMOH said that mothers are very keen on taking these packets.

I felt that i was a nice place which make a healthy citizens for the country. It's better if all the places, areas are supplied by the facilities, as this clinic. And surely people will benefit more by this!

After that we present histories to the madam who went with us, she explain how to present a history in orderly manner with most important points. Then we leave the place to come to university.