Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
has to fill in the Weekly Return of Communicable Disease (WRCD-H-399)
and post it on Saturday each week (Epidemiology Unit of Sri Lanka 2005).
The Medical Officer of Health and Divisional Director of Health Services
are also responsible for updating the maps and charts in the office accord-
ing to the instructions given in the Divisional Circular Publication 110 of
November 1, 1973 (Epidemiology Unit of Sri Lanka 2005).
For selected diseases that are under special surveillance, the Medical Officer
of Health has to complete the special investigation forms and send same to the
Epidemiology Unit. Every week the Epidemiology Unit prepares a consolidated
summary of all Weekly Return of Communicable Disease (WRCD-H-399). This
Weekly Epidemiological Report is sent to all health institutions in the country,
including the Medical Officer of Health offices, thus completing the data flow
cycle. Weekly Epidemiological Report (WER) contains the consolidated data on
notifications by district, from all 290 reporting Medical Officer of Health areas
in the country. You may also find a copy at: http://www.epid.gov.lk/wer.htm.
13.2.3 Sarvodaya Comprehensive Community Health Services
Besides the government's point of care health facilities, Sarvodaya, Sri
Lanka's largest nongovernmental organization (NGO), has launched a cam-
paign to develop primary health care facilities throughout Sri Lanka. There
are more than 420 Suwadana Centers that are functioning on the island, 53
of which are in the Kurunegala District (where the RTBP pilot is carried out).
The centers are run by trained volunteers known as the Suwadana Centre
Volunteers (Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development 2005).
Suwadana Centre offers a focal point for health education on an ongo-
ing basis, monitoring the health status of the community (community sur-
veillance), liaisoning with government health services, offering first-aid
and treatment of minor ailments, organizing youth participation in health
promotion, serving as a focal point for community disaster preparedness
and management, and organizing periodic health clinics for specific target
groups, pre- and postmaternal care, and small-scale laboratory tests.
The RTBP pilot utilizes the Suwadana Centre Volunteers in gathering
data from the government and private health facilities in their jurisdiction.
Periodically, the Suwadana Centre volunteers visit the hospital and clinics
in their area to record and submit health data through mobile phones and
software applications.
13.3 State of Tamil Nadu Disease Control System
India is the seventh largest country by geographical area, the second most
populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. India has a
