Department of Community Medicine

The department of Community Medicine has been providing education and training in occupational health and safety for the past two and a half decades. Through a project initiated between the Department of Health Services and Department of Labour with the World Health Organisation supporting the project, the department of Community Medicine commenced inservice training for medical (6 days) and paramedical personnel (5 days) for the Health Department. This was a comprehensive training which covered all aspects of occupational health and safety and was useful to these health personnel as they receive only a very basic training in OH & S prior to recruitment. Each of these training programmes offered a few placements to health personnel in the armed forces and in private sector organizations which enabled training of some medical officers in the armed forces and medical officers and other categories of persons in charge of health and safety in industries both in public and private sector organizations. These programmes have been held on a regular basis and continue to be held todate.
 
Nominations for the training of health personnel for the ministry of health are entertained by the Director, Occupational Health Unit of the  Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition. Nominations for the training of other categories of persons are accepted on request.

In 2007, the department was successful in extending the training to other categories of workers. Two training programmes were conducted for officers in charge of health and safety in the garment industry. About 45 officers ranging from HR executives, compliance officers and safety officers were trained. In 2009, two short term training programmes on occupational health and safety were conducted to officers of the Red Cross Society. Twenty five officers participated in each programme. In 2011 another training programme was conducted where 25 officers in charge of safety were trained from the garment industry. These programmes were supported by the World Health Organization. Through these programmes the department was successful in establishing links with the industry.

In order to provide opportunities for training of different categories of personnel who could contribute to occupational health and safety, in 2002 the department commenced a certificate course followed by a Postgraduate diploma and a Diploma programme in occupational health and safety in the following years. These programmes are conducted on a fee levying basis and are held during Sundays from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. The department at present conducts only the certificate programme (duration- 4 months) and the Diploma (duration- 12 months) programme.  At present there are 7 participants following the certificate programme and 14 participants following the Diploma programme.

Objectives of these programmes

To develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies relevant and necessary for the promotion and maintenance of occupational health and safety in the work place.

• To develop the ability to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate activities that will promote and maintain health , safety and welfare of the workers
• To promote the development of competencies and attitudes that will enable him/her to function as the professional working in the field of occupational safety and health

 

Programme of study	Entry requirements	Duration of course
Certificate course	A minimum of two years experience in an industrial/work setting.	Four months on a part time basis
Diploma course	A basic degree from a recognized university or Those who have scored 65% and above at the end of course examination and followed by three (3) years of work experience in the field of occupational health and safety or Passed in three (3) subjects at the GCE (A/L) examination at one sitting with five (5) years of work experience in the field of occupational health and safety as middle level managers or above	Twelve months on a part time basis
All candidates who satisfy the admission criteria will be required to present themselves for a qualifying examination followed by a viva. Participants will be selected based on the performance at the above examination and viva.

Venue 

The main venue for the programmes is the Seminar Room of the Department of Community Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. However, when participants are required to visit other institutions the relevant teaching will be carried out in the premises of such institutions. Field visit to industries will be arranged on a Friday.

Applications will be entertained through an advertisement in the news papers. Interested applicants could call the department for information with regard to the above courses.  All correspondence and communications could be addressed to:

The course coordinator
(Certificate/Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety)
Department of Community Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
Kynsey Road
Colombo 8.
Telephone: (general nos.) 9411 2695300, 9411 2688748, 9411 2688749
Telephone (direct) and fax: 9411 2677765

Certificate Course in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

INTRODUCTION
With the increasing diversification of food habits, advent of food advertising and changes in lifestyle and dietary practices, there is a need for professionals in health related fields to be targeted for intense training in human nutrition and dietetics. Since 2008, the departments of Community Medicine and Biochemistry offer the certificate course in human nutrition and dietetics once a year with the objective of developing knowledge, skills and attitudes in dietary management of common clinical conditions and in prevention of nutrition related health problems and promotion of nutritional status at individual and community level.

The Faculty of Medicine calls for applications from qualified candidates to enroll for the above course of study, which will commence on 28th of August 2011.

 

Entry Requirements
A Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, Biology or Allied Sciences
       OR
Equivalent qualifications with minimum experience of 3 years in human nutrition and dietetics   

Course Fee
Rs. 30,000/-

Duration
Approximately 3 ½ months on a part time basis during weekends (Sunday 9.00 am- 4.00 pm)

Medium
English

Course Structure
Consists of 6 Course Units: Introduction to human nutrition, Nutritional assessments, Nutritional problems in Sri Lanka, Community Nutrition, Nutrition therapy and New developments in human nutrition  

Those interested are requested to apply using the prescribed forms obtainable from the Department of Community Medicine.

Inquiries: 
Ms. Chamali Dassanayake (Tel. 011 2677765) 

 

Dr. C Arambepola

Course Coordinator