Shortage of nurses? Train at new Hemas Nurses School

Sri Lanka is however short of an estimated 24,000 nurses to meet current healthcare requirements, while the existing cadre is stretched, with less than two nurses per 1000 people

Sri Lanka is short of approximately 24,000 nurses to meet current healthcare requirements, leading to the creation of a Nurses Training School at Ragama by the Hemas Group, one of Sri Lanka’s top conglomerates.

Hemas Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Sri Lankan conglomerate Hemas Holdings, will address Sri Lanka’s urgent need for nursing staff, with the setting up of this fully-fledged patient care and nurses training facility. This is opening in January 2007 close to the Ragama state hospital. The company’s hospital opens in 2008 and will focus on providing affordable, high quality health services to fast growing suburban communities.

Hemas Hospitals Pvt Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe said, ”The good work done by the doctors is ably supported by the nurses who have dedicated their lives to patient care services, working tirelessly round the clock, especially in the government sector. Sri Lanka is however short of an estimated 24,000 nurses to meet current healthcare requirements, while the existing cadre is stretched, with less than two nurses per 1000 people. The key among the reasons for the shortage has been a lack of training facilities and financial backing. Considering these factors, it is our duty as responsible corporates in the healthcare sector, to address these needs and produce well trained nursing professionals who will serve the country”.

Hemas Hospitals will initiate a nurses training programme conducted by experienced patient care training professionals. The training will be conducted according to a curriculum approved by the Ministry of Health, formulated according to international standards. The main objective of this training programme is to train nurses who are technically sound and with caring personalities. Extra effort will be made to develop interpersonal skills, professional skills and ethical behaviour. Only students with a right attitude would be selected by a screening programme. Nurses who complete their training will be enrolled at Hemas Hospitals which will operate according to international standards. Hemas Hospitals will also support nurses with strong qualifications to obtain overseas placement with their joint venture partner Columbia Asia which operates many hospitals in the Asian region.Former Chief Nursing Officer of the Ragama Teaching Hospital, K.H. Karunachandra said, “It is encouraging to know that the private sector has come forward to assist a dire need of the country. Nurses require a comprehensive training and continuous recollection as they have an enormous responsibility from the point they first meet the patient to the time the patient leaves. We also need to improve communication between the healthcare staff, the doctors and the patients”.

Hemas Hospitals Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between Hemas Holdings Ltd and Columbia Pacific Healthcare Sdn Bhd, Malaysia.