In April 2017, a new project called ‘FORT-VSL’ was initiated by the Volunteer Sri Lanka Project. The project was devised by Mr. Janaka de Silva the project Director of ‘VSL’ and Dr. Nishanta Gunasekera, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya.
This project is an Excellent Internship placement for graduate OR Masters students of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Neuro phycology because the interns as part of the program could visit the Teaching Hospital Karapitiya neurology wards & neurosurgery operation theartre under the guidance of Dr. Nishantha Gunasekera, the neurosurgeon. At the Operation theartre, the students could see live open brain surgery, spinal code injuries and enhance medical knowledge. This is a rare oppertunity for interns as many hospitals around the world would not let this experinece.
Hands-on experience in physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy is hard to come by when you stick with traditional education. Fortunately, the FORT-VSL Physio project offers hands on experience on patients both at the center and with home visits. The FORT-VSL has more than 100 patients under rehabilitation care where you could make your practice under supervision.
Apart from that, Janaka - the project Director also arrange visits to 'Maliban rehabiiation' Hospotal to make observation of Sri Lankan physios working for patient's rehabilitation progress. Though no hands on work is allowed for interns, this hospital gains loads of knowledge on rehabiliation as the hospital receives many hundreds of out patients everyday. In addition, the Maliban rehabilitaion hospital provides ward resident treatments for patients just after main surgeries at the teaching hospital.
When you intern abroad, you have an opportunity to gain real-world experience. Better still, you make a critical contribution to disadvantaged communities that rely on volunteers to help care for their most vulnerable citizens and their families. Volunteer opportunities can give you enough hands-on experience to broaden your perspective and boost your skills