The Elderly population in Sri Lanka is rapidly increasing in line with the increase of world elderly population. It is expected that the elderly population in Sri Lanka which was at 12.7% in 2012 will be at 16.7% in 2021 and 27.6% in year 2050. In 2015 the ministry of health appointed 4 medical officers trained in geriatrics to start a Geriatric Clinic in CSTH to combat the medical problems of the rapidly ageing population in the area. With the tremendous support given by the director of the Hospital Dr. Asela Gunawardena and his staff a Geriatric Medical Clinic was started in Colombo South Teaching Hospital. The staff in the clinic comprises of
Consultant Physician in charge
4 Medical Officers
CSTH staff comprising of
Nursing Officers
Occupational Therapist
Physiotherapists
Social Worker
The clinic is held every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 4 pm in CSTH. To get referred to the clinic patients must meet an OPD doctor of CSTH and
get a referral letter or get referred by any Medical officer in the CSTH wards. Patients can also be referred by any Sri Lankan government social service officer
The clinic offers a multi disciplinary approach to geriatric problems including falls, depression, frailty, memory impairments, multiple co
morbidity and social problems. The unit also realized that going to the community and helping them out at that level is very important. The National Elderly Secretariat under The Ministry of Social empowerment and welfare has set up Elders Committees at Village level
(9269 numbers), Divisional Level (214), District (17) their main objectives are to implement various types of programmes by using their
knowledge, skills and experience for social development, To identify needs of the elders, and to promote Empowerment of Elders. The Geriatric clinic in CSTH therefore decided that best way to help the elderly community is to support this social service system. Now a geriatric screening clinic is organized every two months in the colombo south divisional secretariats. The clinic screens the elders for Hypertension, Diabetes, Low vision,Hearing problems, depression, Memory impairment,Musculoskeletal
disease, Social Problems and are given referrals for identified patients for further follow up at CSTH. APhysiotherapist treats people with
musculoskeletal diseases and imparts valuable advice. If anyone would like to get in touch with Geriatric Medical Unit of CSTH please contact us through this page.
