Regional Director of Health Services – Ampara

 

District of Ampara is located along the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and is one third of the Eastern Province along with Batticaloa and Trincomalee Districts. Ampara District covers an area of 4415 km2 and has a population of approximately 648,000. A unique feature of the Ampara District is that, unlike other districts, it composes of two Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS ) areas namely: Ampara and Kalmunai.

The Ampara RDHS covers an area of 3100 sq km and has a population of  about 262,000. The area is administratively divided into 7 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas namely: Ampara, Uhana, Damana, Mahaoya, Padiyathalawa, Dehiattakandiya and Lahugala.

The Regional Director of Health Services is responsible for all administrative matters pertaining to health in the area. To accomplish this task, the RDHS is supported by the Regional Epidemiologist, Medical Officer (Maternal & Child Health), Medical Officer (Non Communicable Diseases) and Medical Officer (Planning). Within this district level framework, the Medical Officers of Health in each MOH area is responsible for all public health related activities. Under the guidance of the Medical Officer of Health, the public health officials such as Supervising Public Health Inspector, Public Health Nursing Sisters, Public Health Inspectors and Public Health Midwives collaborate to secure and improve the health of the people in the relevant MOH areas.

Hospitals within the Ampara RDHS area providing health care services:

  • One General Hospital (GH Ampara)
  • Two Base Hospitals (BH Mahaoya, BH Dehiattakandiya)
  • Seven District Hospitals (DH Padiyathalawa, DH Damana, DH Senarathpura, DH Wadinagala, DH Thottama, DH Lahugala, DH Panama)

 

 

Map of Ampara district with the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas

 

A range of Leprosy control activities were conducted in the Ampara RDHS area during the years 2014 to 2016, with financial assistance provided by FAIRMED FOUNDATION.

Areas of focus included:

  • Leprosy related training programmes for medical officers
  • Leprosy related awareness programmes for the public health staff and community organisations
  • Awareness programmes for traditional and ayurvedic practitioners on the means of  diagnosing persons affected with Leprosy 
  • Mobile screening clinics in Ampara,Uhana,Damana and Dehiattakandiya MOH areas
  • Training and support programmes for persons affected with Leprosy in Ampara districts
  • House to house (H2H) surveys to detect suspected Leprosy cases by engaging in home visits as part of an effort to identify the endemic hidden pockets of Leprosy
  • Establishing and strengthening the District Leprosy Team (DLT) by providing a comprehensive overseas training on Leprosy for 3 Medical Officers in Nepal and 9 Public Health Inspectors and 1 Physiotherapist in India among other facilities
  • Strengthening of the District Leprosy Unit by providing equipment and facilities needed