ICRC war surgery workshops held in North East

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 August 2006, 02:58 GMT]
The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) held a series of three war surgery workshops for Sri Lankan doctors during July, in Jaffna, Killinochchi and Batticaloa, sharing the experience the organization acquired in the field of war surgery, the ICRC said in a press release issued Monday evening.

Full text of the ICRC press release follows"

"Following the success of previous ICRC seminars in other parts of Sri Lanka, these events were aimed at Sri Lankan surgeons and other doctors from the North-East the region worst affected by violence. The main objective was to enhance the skills of Sri Lankan doctors in the management of war wounded.

"Sessions conducted by senior ICRC surgeon Dr.Chris Giannou from Geneva, focussed on the practical aspects of treating and caring for patients with war-related injuries. The workshops also covered the ICRC's role and mandate during conflict, and included case presentations by Sri Lankan doctors and practical training on war surgery procedures, both inside and outside the operating theatre. More than eighty medical specialists attended the three workshops, which were run in conjunction with Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the Killinochchi Medical Association and Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.

"The ICRC also participated in the International Conference on Military Medicine and Disaster Management in Colombo between 21 and 23 July. The conference was organized by the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Ceylon Volunteer Medical Corps. Dr.Giannou gave two presentations at the conference, on the role and mandate of the ICRC in conflict situations and on triage of mass casualties during armed conflict and natural disaster. Both presentations were greatly appreciated by the participants, who included representatives from the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to Sri Lanka Army medical staff".