Leprosy Awareness Program and Clinical Field Visit for Final Professional BAMS and BUMS Undergraduates

The Department of Ayurveda Medicine and Indigenous Medicine, in successful collaboration with the Department of Unani Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, organized a comprehensive Leprosy Awareness Program and Clinical Field Visit for the Final Professional BAMS and BUMS students of the 2019/2020 academic batch on May 18, 2026. Conducted in partnership with the Anti-Leprosy Campaign in Hendala, Wattala, the programme aimed to bridge vital gaps between theoretical learning and hands-on clinical exposure regarding leprosy, its epidemiology, diagnosis, public health relevance, and patient rehabilitation. The morning awareness seminar was held at the Main Auditorium of the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine and featured expert lectures from distinguished specialists, including Dr. Yasoma Weerasekara (Acting Director of the Anti-Leprosy Campaign), Dr. Chathurarya Siriwardhana (Consultant Dermatologist), Dr. Dilini Weerasekara (Consultant Community Physician), and Dr. Nalin Perera (Medical Officer). These sessions focused heavily on disease epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic protocols, and patient-centered management approaches.

A total of 182 students comprising 135 Final Professional BAMS students and 47 Final Professional BUMS students actively participated in the event, supported by the guidance of academic and supportive staff members from both departments. Following the morning seminar, students participated in a supervised clinical field visit to the Leprosy Hospital in Hendala, Wattala, coordinated by Dr. S.K.A.C.S. Senanayake, Dr. K.K.V.S. Peshala, and Dr. Nadeesara Senavirathne. Under the careful guidance of hospital staff and supervising university faculty, students observed diverse clinical presentations, learned about treatment and disability prevention frameworks, and gained a deeper appreciation for psychosocial care and stigma reduction in public health disease control.

This dual component programme served as an invaluable experiential learning milestone for undergraduate medical students, successfully enhancing their diagnostic reasoning, clinical communication, and professional outlook. The organizing departments wish to express their sincere gratitude to the Dean, Professor S.P. Molligoda, former Acting Dean Professor R.D.H. Kulathunga, Department Heads Dr. E.D.T.P. Gunarathne and Dr. A.M. Muthalib, as well as the Anti-Leprosy Campaign and hospital staff, for their visionary leadership, continuous encouragement, and invaluable cooperation in making this educational event a resounding success.