AUG. 07 ⇒ Clinical services begin !
The majority of the time in the final (third) year of the course is spent in clinical training. For that purpose, we have established a close relationship with the hospital so that their patients can be referred to SLSPO. As the new building is completed and furnished, the clinical service has begun. This provides the students with a great learning experience and provides a free of charge prosthetic and orthotic service for people with disabilities of Sri Lanka.
AUG. 07 ⇒ Delegation from the Nippon Foundation
A delegation from The Nippon Foundation has come to see the completion of the new building, built with their generous support. They were accompanied by Japanese media and journalists and a number of articles and tv spots resulted.
AUG. 07 ⇒ SAPOS conference in Vancouver
In conjunction with the ISPO (International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics) conference in Vancouver, the 3rd SAPOS meeting was held on 5th and 6th August 07. Thirty five attendees were gathered from 13 different countries; Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, and Australia in the aim of making a stronger foundation of Prosthetic and Orthotic schools in the Asia region. This time, the idea on sharing the school materials and techniques, and the method of examination were discussed. The next SAPOS will be hosted by the school in Pakistan in March 2008.
MAY. 07 ⇒ Regional staff exchange from Cambodia
Two Cambodians have arrived as part of our regional staff exchange scheme: Sophat, a technician and Channy, a Prosthetist - Orthotist from The Cambodia Trust will be working with us for a year.
APR. 07 ⇒ Intake 2007
Once again a series of advertisements in local newspapers brought a good response and the selection process identified 20 students. Offers were made and 18 students joined the course. This year saw a better response from the North and East and we hope this will provide Sri Lanka with graduates eager to help those most in need.
APR. 07 ⇒ New Prosthetic-Orthotic lecturers joined SLSPO
Ashley Morphet and Lee Brentnall, both Prosthetist - Orthotists from Australia have joined us as lecturers at SLSPO.
JAN. 07 ⇒ Soft Opening Ceremony of the new building
After more than two years of anticipation, the new customized building has been built in the grounds of Ragama Rheumatology and Rehabilitation hospital. The building contains adequate provision for class rooms, workshops, administration offices and a large clinical area.
NOV. 06 ⇒ Prosthetics & Orthotics School Meeting
The Nippon Foundation is one of the major investors in prosthetic and orthotic education in South East Asia. On behalf of The Nippon Foundation, SLSPO hosted a 3-day meeting in Colombo from 28th to 30th November 06, to develop collaboration between prosthetic and orthotic education centres in the region.
There were representatives gathered from 9 Prosthetics and Orthotics schools: Australia, Canada, Cambodia, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
AUG. 06 ⇒ ISPO representative visiting to Sri Lanka
As a new Institution the Sri Lankan School of Prosthetics and Orthotics is actively engaged in raising awareness of the profession on the Island. To this end an offer was made to the President of the College of Surgeons, to sponsor the visit of an Orthopaedic Surgeon to the Annual Congress of the College.
Through the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) we secured the services of Dr John Bowker, Professor Emeritus of the School of Medicine, University of Miami USA. He stayed on the island for 2 weeks enabling us to arrange a number of engagements for him.
Dr. Bowker's presentations covered 2 main themes, Amputation surgery as a reconstructive procedure, and the prevention of amputation in Diabetics.
JUL. 06 ⇒ Fiona visited SLSPO to share her experience
Fiona Callanan who has been supporting the Cambodia Trust, visited SLSPO to meet the students. Fiona lost her leg as a result of the unforseen Tsunami of 26th Dec 04. She generously shared her time to talk about her experience of life with an artificial limb and answer questions from the students. SLSPO appreciates her dedicated support. Thank you very much Fiona.
MAY. 06 ⇒ Cambodian staff on Reginal staff exchange
SLSPO made a request for more long term assistance from CSPO in this development stage of the Project. Cambodian Prosthetist & Orthotist and technician started working in Sri Lanka for a period for one year. The Prosthetist & Orthotist is acting as an assistant lecturer and the Technician is assisting with the technical training of the students and trainees in a workshop.
MAY. 06 ⇒ 13 students are selected for Intake 2006
At the request of the Ministry of Health the second recruitment was open to those already working in the field. Thirteen students were accepted from both Government and NGO sectors, nine of whom come from the South and West and four from the North and East.
Their academic course has been preceded by an intensive 10 week English language course. These students are due to complete all subjects in the Academic module, before moving to the new Facility in early February to begin the Prosthetic & Orthotic component.
APR. 06 ⇒ Ground-breaking ceremony for SLSPO new building
The SLSPO new building project was officially launched by the Hon. Minister of Health on the 25th April 2006 at a ground breaking ceremony, also participating was Mr Matoba for the Nippon Foundation and Mr Carson Harte for the Cambodia Trust.
The building is scheduled for completion by the end of December 2006.
