The Department of Community Medicine is one of the oldest departments of the faculty. It has been a centre of excellence in teaching Community Medicine & Public Health to medical, paramedical & graduate students. It has a dynamic, energetic staff with diverse experience and expertise, always ready to guide students. From 2009 the elective programme has been redesigned to make it more flexible, productive and interesting.
1. Areas for electives
- Primary healthcare setup in Sri Lanka
- Appraisal of a low cost health system
- Community based medical education
- Urban health/ Rural health in a less developed country
- Health in conflict situation
- Occupational health in a less developed country
- “Achieving Complete Health”
- MOH (Health unit) Rotations
- Others, tailor made to suit the special requirements
2. Arrangements
A supervisor will be appointed for all prospective candidates from the academic staff of the department. A customised elective appointment will be prepared to the requirements of the candidate. This will be done prior to the arrival of the candidate through correspondence. The department electives coordinator working under the Head/department will be in close contact with the prospective student and will guide and help him/her through the elective programme.
Depending on the requirements of the candidate field visits and other necessary inputs will be arranged. At the end of the programme the students are usually invited to make a presentation and submit a report on the elective programme and a certificate of completion detailing the activities done will be issued.
3. Elective programmes offered
3.1 Undergraduate elective programme
This is for undergraduate medical/ paramedical students interested in doing electives in public health/community medicine and is geared to give a broad inputs of the health system of Sri Lanka and other inputs related to community medicine with field visits, visits to special centres as well as theoretical inputs.
3.2 Postgraduate elective programme
This is for postgraduate medical/ paramedical students interested in public health/community medicine. Post graduate programmes are more specific to area/s of interest of the student who is expected to work in close collaboration with the supervisor.
3.3 Clinical Attachment / Public Health Internship
This is for medical graduates who wish to have an attachment to a Health Unit. This programme will focus mainly on field and clinic based services.
4. Bench Fee
1. Undergraduate elective programme : US $ 100 per week
2. Postgraduate elective programme : US $ 200 per week
3. Clinical Attachment : US $ 100 per week
5. Timing
Applications for the elective programme will be available from the web site throughout the year. Starting date of the elective programme will depend on the programme designed for the student and the availability of the assigned supervisor, where relevant. These are subject to negotiation.
6. Useful information
Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean is an island of extraordinary natural beauty, valuable culture and proud history.
The Sri Lankan population comprises a multi-ethnic, multi religous society, The people of Sri Lanka are known for their hospitality and friedlyness. Most people use their mother tongue for communication which is either Sinhalese or Tamil. However English is also used by many.
Arrival:
By air. Many airlines service Colombo. The journey from the airport to the city of Colombo takes about 30-45 min by taxi.
Climate:
Sunny and comfortable. Rain is expected during the months of April-May and Sept-Oct
Dress:
Light weight and informal most of the time. However, in the hospitals and in the clinics, a more formal attire is worn.
Accommodation:
Hostel accommodation in the medical school is restricted. A list of places of accommodation can be obtained by writing to the Registrar or the department elective coordinator.
Visa:
A letter can be issed from the department for visa purposes. The government may request the elective students to produce evidence of adequate funds for maintenance during their stay in Sri Lanka.
How to apply
You may download from the weblink the application form and e-mail/ fax or post it to the Registrar of the faculty at the addresses below With copy to the Head/ Department of Community Medicine.
http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/medicine/downloads/application_form.doc
Adresses:
Dean,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Colombo.
Kynsey Road
Colombo 8, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94112691581
Telephone: +94112695300 (extensions to all units),
+94114867099 (Deputy Registrar/ registrar)
E-mail: elective@med.cmb.ac.lk
Copy: Head Department of Community Medicine
Please remember:
For Medical Students:
1. To attach a passport size photograph
2. To enclose a letter from the Dean of your medical faculty confirming your student status
3. To provide documentary evidence of having commenced clinical work in your hospital
For further information please contact,
Head of the Department,
Tel: +94112695300 ext 141 +94112677765
Fax: +94112677765
Email: wasantg@med.cmb.ac.lk; srdeas@med.cmb.ac.lk
Web sites: http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/medicine/index.htm
http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/medicine/ext_pages/Community/index.html
