About SLMNA
Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association (SLMNA), founded on the 14th of February 2015, is the pioneer organization dedicated to the field of ‘clinical nutrition’ in Sri Lanka.
SLMNA was established with the virtuous vision, of improving the field of clinical nutrition in Sri Lanka as a supportive service to patient care, in both curative and preventive health sectors.
Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, who was also instrumental in the introduction of clinical nutrition postgraduate training in Sri Lanka, was the founder president and Dr. Damean De Silva was the founder secretary of the association. Leading Medical Professionals from other colleges, together with a core team of medical doctors from the first two batches of the MSc Human nutrition program were the other office-bearers of the first council and was supported by Ministry of Health and the Government Medical Officers Association.
The founder's membership consisted of 74 members. This included clinicians from all categories such as physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, anesthetists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, community physicians as well as medical officers. Today SLMNA boasts a membership of 333 lifetime members and keeps the momentum expanding.
SLMNA which was initiated with many financial as well as social constrains has flourished under the patronage of the founder president Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, and the dedicated contribution of the membership, by way of knowledge, skills, and wealth, towards new horizons.
In 2016 SLMNA, held its 1st clinical nutrition sessions graced by the presence of his Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Maithreepala Sirisena as the chief guest. It was a historic achievement. The tradition follows, and yearly Clinical Nutrition Annual Academic sessions were being held with the participation of eminent international and local speakers. Read more
Untiring and enormous efforts of the former president of SLMNA, led to the launch of the MD program in clinical nutrition, by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine in 2017. The program was able to produce, highly trained and qualified Consultant Clinical Nutrition Physicians in Sri Lanka setting a hallmark in the South Asian region.
Yearly conducted MCQ program for MSc selection examination, while expanding the knowledge of medical officers has been a financial asset to SLMNA in the very beginning.
Market fair was a novel concept which made the membership to develop a forum for discussion of the available local and international products in nutritional care.
Island wide awareness programs to introduce the importance of nutritional care in hospitalized patients were conducted initially in many hospitals in collaboration with relevant clinical societies to develop and utilize this novel field of clinical nutrition.
SLMNA has gallantly reached out to the international arena of clinical nutrition, and obtained a council member of the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) since year 2017.
In 2018 and 2019 SLMNA, successfully coordinated the 'Life Long Learning course in Clinical Nutrition, conducted by ESPEN. It was attended by local and international trainees in clinical nutrition and gave Sri Lankan trainees an international learning experience.
SLMNA has also been co-partners in the Malnutrition Awareness Week program with the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), collaborating internationally in the nutrition field.
SLMNA is geared to play a pivotal role in preventive nutrition care. The association has contributed to addressing the double burden of malnutrition among children and adults. Collaborative projects such as the "We Are Healthy" program in Colombo District schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Non-Communicable Disease Unit, the "Work Site Wellness" program with government ministries targeting the working population to reduce the Non-communicable Diseases and capacity building programs to enhance nutrition in the estate sector in collaboration with the South Asian Food and Nutrition Security Initiative under World Bank, Plantation Human Development Trust and Health Education Bureau are some examples of such efforts.
Our association was partnering with Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association and Endocrinology society in numerous public awareness programs as health walks, healthy eating exhibitions, diabetic day programs and many more and the awareness campaign on 'healthy eating and nutrition in covid-19', conducted over social media platforms is another timely intervention by the SLMNA.
Currently trained professional in Clinical Nutrition are providing an island wide service in major hospitals, contributing to the betterment of patient care via nutritional optimization via Medical Nutrition Therapy.
This unique organization strengthens its internal unity and harmony yearly by organizing an annual get-together with the members and their families.
Prof. Pujitha Wickramasinghe who is the newly appointed president of SLMNA and the council, with the young and enthusiastic membership, are a great strength to SLMNA in its flourishing journey towards building an optimum clinical nutrition service to Sri Lanka......
Nutrition leading to good health and well-being.
Drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help, solve the most important nutrition challenges of patients and general public in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association, established eight years ago is dedicated to improving the clinical nutrition services in the country. Its main mission is to improve the clinical nutrition services to the public in both curative and preventive sectors. Clinical Nutrition, being identified as a new therapeutic modality, contributes immensely to patient care. SLMNA has the ability to facilitate the advancement of the field by improving the knowledge and skills of its membership.
SLMNA also has its mandate to influence policy decisions, support and sustain continuous professional development of those who practice medical nutrition and promote collaboration between all stake holders involved in medical nutrition. This is one of the few medical associations that its activity matters to the entire population of the country, whether ill or well, whether a child or an adult.
Currently Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence era. This invariably has an impact on the nutrition of the public as well as those who ill and receiving treatment. While providing basic medical/surgical care amidst the shortage of drugs is challenging, maintaining required nutrition has become an arduous task. Therefore, this is the time for improvisation to look for better cost-effective modes to support the nutritional needs of diverse groups of patients.
Nutrition blended with clinical care would provide the best clinical outcome in medical management. This year theme ‘Blend Medical Nutrition Therapy in to Clinical Care’ was chosen to call for this collaboration and make patient care more meaningful.
I take this opportunity to send a call to the membership of this honorable association to gather under the wings of the SLMNA, during these difficult and uncertain times and deliver the intend services for the wellbeing of the public and to support each other in the quest for knowledge update and acquisition of skills under the leadership of the SLMNA.
President
MBBS, DCH, MD(Paed), PhD,
FSLCPaed, FSLCNP
Senior Professor of Paediatrics
MBBS, MSc, MD Consultant Nutrition Physician
MBBS, MSc, MD Consultant Nutrition Physician
MBBS, MSc, MD Consultant Nutrition Physician
MBBS, MSc, MD Consultant Nutrition Physician
MBBS, MSc, MBA
MBBS, MSc
MBBS, MSc
MBBS, MSc
MBBS, MSc
MBBS, MSc
