MJF Foundation, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo inaugurated the opening of the Early Intervention Clinic, a ground-breaking facility dedicated to enhancing the lives of young children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other developmental disorders on 28th February 2024.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place at the Faculty of Medicine Tower where Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman/CEO and Trustee of the MJF Foundation, joined hands with Professor H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo to formalize the partnership.
The Early Intervention Clinic represents a significant milestone in advancing the support available for families and caregivers of babies and toddlers with disabilities. The Clinic offers a multi sensorial support system where social integration meets specialized therapy and paediatric care. Manned by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of physio, occupational, speech and language therapists and medical practitioners, it is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and support parents and caregivers.
Located at the Faculty of Medicine, the Clinic is in the vicinity of paediatric and maternity hospitals, further enhancing its accessibility for new-borns and children from diverse backgrounds and demographics who require specialized care.
Early intervention is widely recognized as pivotal in enabling children with disabilities to achieve their full potential. Intervention soon after detection has shown to significantly improve outcomes for children at risk of developmental disorders, highlighting the critical importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.
“In most cases, children with disabilities will very rarely get a proper diagnosis” explained Vidya Jyothi Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. This collaboration also offers more visibility and awareness for such initiatives. With a reach in over 100 countries, Dilmah’s support of projects such as this have the potential to inspire global interest in Sri Lanka’s efforts in healthcare, added Prof. Dissanayake.
This collaboration is one of many initiatives between Dilmah’s MJF Foundation and the Medical Faculty. The Foundation’s Centres while catering towards education and therapy for children with disabilities also serves as a centre for practical observations and clinical studies for undergraduates at the University.
Dilmah’s unwavering commitment to serving individuals with disabilities is exemplified through a myriad of initiatives, including the management of the Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Developmental Disorders (CCCPDD) and the launch of disABILITY, Sri Lanka’s only trilingual channel on disability. Their Centres in the East and West also conduct programs and offer facilities for special education and various forms of therapy for children and youth with disabilities.
Commenting on the launch of the Early Intervention Clinic, Dilhan C Fernando remarked, “At Dilmah, we believe that business is a matter of human service. The establishment of this Clinic underscores our commitment to serving humanity and creating a more inclusive society.”
The Early Intervention Clinic will be open from 04th March at the Faculty of Medicine. For further details contact. Dr. Dineshani Hettiarachchi, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Family Physician, Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine at dineshani@anat.cmb.ac.lk
