The International Conference in Health Sciences 2021 was hosted for the first time by the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, USJ on 31st March 2021 through a hybrid mode. There was a wide range in participation with undergraduates and postgraduates of different disciplines both local and from foreign institutions, and healthcare professionals working across the country making it a very successful conference. The chief guest was Snr Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Snr Prof. Liyanage, together with Deans of all other Faculties, Registrar, Librarian, and many of members the Faculty of Medical Sciences both past and present graced the inauguration ceremony. The inauguration was also a platform to felicitate the members of the Faculty of Medical Sciences [ Tribute Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9jdkP9NKDY ] which was preceded by a tree planting programme, where two ‘Kaluwara’, four ‘Malmurutha’, four ‘Jakaranda’, one ‘Kohomba’, one ‘Beheth Asoka’ and a very rare plant ‘Rath handun’ were planted in the FMS premises. The trees were planted as a mark of gratitude towards the Faculty of Medical Sciences, where the allied health degrees were first commenced. All former deans of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and all past coordinators/heads of the Department of Allied Health Sciences and other eminent dignitaries including Prof. Narada Warnasuriya a former Dean and a Vice Chancellor of the University were present
The inauguration was followed by the scientific program which included two very important events. The first, was the panel discussion on “Challenges in Health Sciences with COVID-19” with the participation of eminent resource persons Snr. Prof. Asita de Silva, Prof. Chandani Wanigatunge, Prof. Neelika Malavige, Dr. Shirani Chandrasiri, Ms. Pushpa Ramyani Zoysa, and was chaired by Snr. Prof. Neluka Fernando. Each expert presented key challenges faced during COVID 19 pandemic and their efforts to combat the many barriers on aspects related to regulation of medicines, devices and vaccines, patient management and ethics, research, medical laboratory diagnostics, and nursing management respectively.
The next important item of the scientific program, ‘Stories of Young Innovators in Health Sciences’ was organized in keeping with the theme of the conference ‘Fostering healthcare needs through Research and Innovation’. The event was organized as a competition for ‘Young Innovators Award in Health Sciences’ where applications of young innovators who had contributed in health innovations were judged by an eminent panel of judges. The panel of judges consisted of Snr, Prof. M. M. Pathmalal, Snr. Prof. Laleen Karunanayake, Prof. Shamini Prathapan, Dr. B.C.V Senaratne, Dr. Akila Subasinghe, and Prof. P.P.R. Perera from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Mrs. Vajirapani de Silva from GeneTech, Sri Lanka. After a rigorous process of reviewing, the ‘Best young innovator in health sciences’ the first-runner up and two second runners-up awards were selected. In addition to their victory of winning the award, these young scientists were given the opportunity to share their findings as invited speakers at the conference. The ‘Best Innovator in Health Sciences’ was awarded to Ms K.G.P Wasana for her innovation, “A novel herbal capsule for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus”, while the first runner up was Ms. M.D Thilina Lakmini Gunathilaka for her innovation on, “Fucoxanthin derivative: A novel candidate to treat the hyperglycemic condition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus”. The second runners-up award were shared by Mr. T.A.O.I Somaratna for the innovation, “Semi-automated, mobile chest physiotherapy and prolong cardiopulmonary resuscitation machine which can be operated by a single person from a mobile application”, and Ms. H.K.G.K.D.K Hapuhinna for the innovation on, “Synthesis of hydroxyapatite bio ceramic varieties using Eppawala high grade rock phosphate for biomedical applications”. Snr Prof. Sharaine Fernando, Dean, FAHS, and Snr Prof. Laleen Karunanayake, Dean Faculty of Applied Sciences participated in the awards ceremony.
The afternoon of the RCHS 2021 was dedicated for oral and poster presentations. Among 250 abstracts received from a wide range of health disciplines, 49 oral presentations and 107 poster presentations were selected through a double-blinded peer review process. It is noteworthy that some abstracts were submitted from overseas which was very encouraging. These abstracts were presented virtually, under four main tracks, Discovery, Development and Quality use of Medicines, Nursing Management and Health Promotion, Health, Nutrition and Laboratory Diagnostics, and Nursing Education and Practice. The best oral/poster presenter under each track was announced at the concluding session.
This inaugural research conference of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences was organized by the Research Committee, FAHS under the guidance of the Dean, Snr Prof. Sharaine Fernando. The contribution by all faculty members and the strength of unity among all staff members was the key to the success of the conference in disseminating many aspects of research findings in health sciences in Sri Lanka.
