NHS TEAM AT WORK IN MATARA,SRI-LANKA

(Psycho-Social Programme – 06th to 20th July 2006)

The NHS Team consisting of Dr. Prem Sirisena, Retired Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr.Chamangika Sirisena, Associate Psychiatrist, Mr. Mahinda Jayasekera, Retired Registered General and Mental Nurse and Ms. Kamani Kariyawasam, Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor visited Scotand’s Buddhist Vihara’s clinic “Metta Scotland” in Matara from 06 – 20 July to launch their Psycho-Social Programme for the Tsunami affected people.

Individual assessment interviews were conducted in depth to determine the magnitude of the psycho-social problems suffered by the residents to enable us to formulate appropriate programmes for them. We encouraged them to talk about their stories in detail thus giving them an opportunity to ventilate their feelings which itself helped in the healing process. At the end they felt much relieved saying that this was the first opportunity they had to talk to someone in depth about the circumstances surrounding their traumatic events. We conducted the conversations in a dignified manner so as not to belittle them. We wanted to create in them a feeling that they are useful members of the community realizing the fact that once they were leading independent lives prior to the Tsunami. We felt that they had been dependent for too long on the charities and other well-wishers who delivered hand-outs to them. The children were encouraged to continue to attend schools and resume their normal activities

The Team visited all 7 camps in the area and conducted individual interviews with representatives from the families who were present. Almost everyone said that they were discontented with the living conditions in the camps. Some felt hopeless and helpless as they saw no opportunity to move on in the near future.

The following statistics were obtained.

177 representatives of the families were seen out of 247 families that were housed in the 7 camps. (The others had gone out to work or the children had attended school and their shelters were closed.)
23 were referred for “Art Therapy” and 19 to the SBV clinic for ongoing therapeutic counselling.(It is hoped that the clinic referrals would be picked up by the volunteers who had been trained in counselling).
2 emergency clinics were held at the SBV clinic and 3 people with enduring psychological problems were seen out of which 1 suffered from a major Psychiatric illness and was referred to the Psychiatrist at Matara General Hospital for further follow up.

The team also visited 2 housing schemes where people from the camps have been settled. They were leading independent lives and were happy with the living conditions.

An “Art Therapy” session was held by Kamani (OT) at the clinic for those selected from the camps but unfortunately only a few turned up to participate in this well organized and well planned session.
Financial incentives were given to some families to cover the cost of travel to the clinic and also to encourage future attendances.

Following a request from a Scottish primary school in the Borders to link up with a similar sized school in Sri-Lanka in order for the children from both countries to learn about each other’s lives and also to help to develop the school financially through fund raising, the Team visited Sri-Medhananda Junior school in Nupe, Matara where the majority of the children are affected one way or the other by the Tsunami. Most live in the camps. 4 children had lost their lives in the Tsunami. Chamangika undertook to feed back to the school in the Borders.

The Team is grateful for the Scottish Executive for funding this valuable project which was successful and satisfying to both the “residents” and the Team members.

Dr.Prem Sirisena