SAMAGE Centre at Kalubowila Hospital
View(s):The Medical Faculty of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura recorded a significant achievement with the (SAMAGE) being established within the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila Teaching Hospital) under the professorial unit in Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Sri Jayewardenepura.
The SAMAGE centre is the first of its kind in all of South Asia. The Centre has been approved by the British Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (BSGE) as an international provisional Endometriosis Centre from this year onwards. It will proceed to receive full accreditation as an international Endometriosis Centre in 2019, after thorough scrutiny and review from the BSGE, the University said in its website.
The University said, 6%-10% of women at their reproductive age are affected by Endometriosis. “This is common to women in most parts of the world. The condition refers to the development of uterine-lining tissue outside the uterus, which can result in abdominal pain, menstruation issues and even infertility. The BSGE was founded in 1989, and has membership of over 1000 consultants, trainees, specialist nurses, practitioners etc.
Being a part of the BSGE provides the following benefits:
*To optimize patient care through dedicated multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach
*To audit the patient QOL and surgical outcomes to improve confidence
*To standardize training of the gynecologist to perform advanced gynecological endoscopic procedures
*For International recognition
*Have access to database to answer research questions
The SAMAGE will be a referral centre for all complex Gynaecological problems with special interest in Endometriosis. The Centre will promote training in minimal access surgery in Sri Lanka, while improving its standards. The Centre will promote international exchange of information for Research and increase public awareness.
Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Dr. Dhammika Silva will head the Gynaecological team at Kalubowila. Dr Silva and his team have been conducting minimal access surgeries for over 10 years for Endometriosis and other Ureter work, including re-implantation and end-to-end anastomosis, rectal shaving, bladder procedures, fistula, pelvic abscesses and all other operable Gynaecological cancers including ovarian cancer. With this international accreditation, patients will be able to receive more streamlined treatment.
Minimal Access Gynaecology offers the patients, less pain, less analgesics requirements, rapid healing, less infection risk and the comfort of being discharged early. This Centre will prove beneficial for women not just in Sri Lanka, but all of South Asia.