Preamble
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the major cardiac arrhythmia which is one of the major risk factors for stroke and cardiac arrest. Highest numbers of deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases especially among the middle-aged men who are the main workforce of the country. Understanding the burden, risk factors and management issues and develop the effective monitoring and management pathways will help to reduce the morbidity and the mortality.
Sri Lanka, a country that sustained decades of conflict and is rapidly rebuilding its health systems has an unmet need to improve awareness and detection of AF and integrate management approaches for AF. Estimating the prevalence of AF in the Northern Province could be the first step to calculate the AF disease related burden in Sri Lanka.
Opportunities for Cohort Studies
The Northern Province’s extensive community survey, spanning from February 2020 to April 2023, encompassed 10,000 permanent residents to gather participant data, including demographics, socioeconomic profiles, health histories, and AF symptoms. Validated questionnaires assessed modifiable lifestyle risk factors, laboratorial-based evaluations, including physical measurements and bio sample collections for clinical parameters and novel cardiovascular biomarkers. A dedicated helpline provided ongoing support and guidance to participants and their families. This comprehensive approach promises valuable insights into the health and well-being of the Northern Province’s residents, helping inform future healthcare initiatives and interventions in the region.
National award for Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna (FOM, UOJ) as a centre of excellence for innovative ways to improve care for people living with AF at the Palace of Westminster, London, UK
The AF Association Healthcare Pioneers Report: Showcasing Best Practice in AF 2023, published during World Heart Rhythm Week (May 5–11, 2023), outlines examples of how healthcare professionals have found innovative ways to improve care and quality of life for people with or at risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, has been recognized globally at the Palace of Westminster, London, UK, as a Centre of Excellence for a common yet difficult-to-manage heart rhythm condition. NIHR Global Health Research on AF management team have received this prestigious award in recognition of their pioneering work for Stepping Stone to strengthen and streamline the management of Atrial Fibrillation in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The AF Association’s long-standing “DETECT, PROTECT, CORRECT, PERFECT” campaign calls for healthcare professionals to DETECT AF with a simple pulse check, PROTECT against AF-related stroke with anticoagulation therapy, and CORRECT the irregular rhythm with access to appropriate treatments—and, thus, PERFECT the patient care pathway.
A significant milestone reached in community based household survey
Data collection to identify the prevalence and associated risk factors (theme I) was formally initiated on 25th June 2020 and is now successfully going on for over 7 months. Thus the Sri Lankan AF Data Collection team has completed 80 percentage of the data collection and has reached a milestone. We are happy to say that most of the households in Northern Province are welcoming this study and giving their full support. The data collection is expected to finish by September 2021.
Pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Oddusuddan, Marithmepattu, Thunukkai, Manthai East Divisional Secretariat(DS) division
A pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Oddusuddan, Marithmepattu, Thunukkai, Manthai East DS divisions were held at the Oddusuddan, Marithmepattu, Thunukkai, Manthai East DS offices. All Grama Niladhari(GN), divisional secretary of the Oddusuddan, Marithmepattu, Thunukkai, Manthai East divisions participated in the meeting. The project manager, logistics and finance coordinator joined the meeting and explained about AF project and got their support.
05 April 2021
Pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Vavuniya, Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat(DS) division
A pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Vavuniya, Vavuniya North DS divisions were held at the Vavuniya, Vavuniya North DS offices. All Grama Niladhari(GN), divisional secretary of the Vavuniya, Vavuniya North divisions participated in the meeting. The project manager, logistics and finance coordinator joined the meeting and explained about AF project and got their support.
22 March 2021
Pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Poonakary, Palai Divisional Secretariat(DS) division
A pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Poonakary, Palai DS divisions were held at the Poonakary, Palai DS offices. All Grama Niladhari(GN), divisional secretary of the Poonakary, Palai divisions participated in the meeting. The project manager, logistics and finance coordinator, quality coordinators & Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) team joined the meeting and explained about AF project and got their support.
08 March 2021
Pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Maruthankerni Divisional Secretariat(DS) division
A pre-data collection stakeholder meeting for Maruthankerni DS division was held at the Maruthankerni DS office. All Grama Niladhari(GN), divisional secretary of the Maruthankerni division participated in the meeting. project manager & logistics and finance coordinator joined the meeting and explained about AF project and got their support.
15 February 2021
AF team conducted a ‘Shramadana’ campaign
AF team conducted a ‘Shramadana’ event in Kondavil, Kokuvil & Nallur primary medical care units. In this program our team helped them to keep their environment plastic free and clean. We encouraged them to use the orgamic matter to compost and develop a small model organic vegetable garden.
27 January 2021
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Tweets @ Global AF Reach Sri Lanka
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Department of Community & Family Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Jaffna,
Sri Lanka.
Call us
0094 212218178
Contact us
afsl@univ.jfn.ac.lk
