Durdans Heart Centre is regionally renowned for performing complex heart surgeries with superior outcomes. Each year the centre performs an overwhelming number of routine heart procedures and surgeries as well as ground breaking ones. In a bid to improve access to healthcare among socio-economically disadvantaged communities, Durdans Hospital organised a two day health camp in Eravur, a remote town 15Km North-west of Batticaloa.
The cardiac related health camp took place at Al Muneera Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Eravur on 14th and 15th July from morning until evening. Mr. Mohamed Mahath, Principal, Al Muneera Balika Maha Vidyalaya said about the CSR, “Everyone was here from the beginning, working with commitment”. Around 250 patients turned up on day 01 where Durdans doctors and staff performed health assessments on each participant, free of charge. Blood pressure checks, blood tests and BMI calculations were some of the assessments conducted. Day 02 was set apart for doctor consultations where these patients were seen by eminent Consultant Cardiologists Dr W.S. Shantharaj and Dr Shanike Karunaratne who gave their expert assessment and recommendation.
This was the first time that a CSR event of this magnitude had been conducted here in Eravur and the response from the community was overwhelming.
Mr Z. Naseer Ahamed Chairman, Eravur Urban Council said, “Lots of people find it difficult to go to Colombo, this is a golden opportunity for our people. There are many underprivileged people here in Batticaloa and they have come here to check their health condition. We are thankful to Durdans Hospital”. Mr R. A. Devarajah who had had open heart surgery at Durdans Hospital in 2002 said of the health camp, “All Durdans staff were very friendly and doing the job well”. Mr Wahabdeen who visits Durdans Hospital every month for his check-up said, “…poor heart patients are here so we appreciate this kind service free of charge.”
A large number of individuals who attended were over the age of 40 and a considerable number of them displayed high risk symptoms including high cholesterol and sugar levels. To this end, a cardiac related CSR programme could not have come at a more opportune time.
The Durdans Heart Centre specialises in comprehensive heart screenings that are conducted by a leading pool of visiting and resident consultant specialists. This aids in the early detection of risk factors that can prevent the development of chronic heart diseases. The centre has the capacity to treat heart conditions ranging from common to complex, including high risk procedures without adverse outcomes. For cardiac consultation appointments call the Durdans Heart Centre on 011 2 140 205/6.
