iPURSE 2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/33

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    Faecal excretion of coronaviruses in bats in a selected location in Sri Lanka
    (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Fernando,T. ,Iqbal, B.N., Cheng,S.M.S., Dhanasekaran,V., Peiris,J.S.M. and Noordeen,F.
    Bats act as a reservoir host for three out of the ten pandemic viruses including coronaviruses (CoV). Bats have harboured CoV for centuries before causing spill- overs to animals or humans. Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify the frequency of CoV shedding in bat faeces in a selected environment in the Central Province of Sri Lanka between September 2022 to May 2023 for a period of nine- months. Sampling was done in the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Peradeniya. Bat guano (faecal dropping) was collected once a week in the mornings by laying out polythene sheets (2m x 2m), the previous day afternoon, under randomly selected trees. Viral RNA was extracted to perform a Pancoronavirus (PanCoV) nested RT- PCR, which is designed to target the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene with a 442 base pair fragment. A total of 94-bat guano was collected, however, between the start of October 2022 to end of January 2023, bats have migrated therefore no guano was found. Of the 94-bat guano tested, 44 (46.8%) were identified as CoV by RT- PCR. Previous sequencing data on RBG bat guano was identified as betacoronaviruses (Nobecovirus) 97% similar to Pteropus giganteus in India and Pteropus lylei bats in Cambodia (2). In this study, we wanted to identify the frequency of bat CoV shedding in RBG bats. The month of September 2022 had the highest positivity for bat CoV (78%) whereas April 2023 showed the lowest positivity for bat CoV (25%). Overall, a reduction in bat CoV positivity was detected moving forward post the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Based on the interim results, 46% of RBG bats were tested positive for CoV. A reduction in bat CoV was detected with progressing months in 2023. Sequencing studies are in progress to identify the details of these bat CoVs.
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    Feminization of medical doctor workforce in Sri Lanka
    (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) De Silva,Dileep, Adikari,Pamila.,Rubasinghe,Mihiri and Senaviratne,Udeni.
    It has been observed in many countries around the world over the past decades, and especially in the last few years, that there are consistent trends of increased participation of females in the medical profession and that the profession of medicine is no longer dominated by males as it once was. The authors were concerned to find out if Sri Lanka is experiencing the same phenomenon in the feminization of doctors. How has the ratio between men and women medical doctor workforce changed in Sri Lanka over the years? Authors analysed medical student cohorts from 1990 to 2020, to understand the medical workforce feminization patterns using secondary from state Medical Faculties and UGC.Over the years, there has been a notable rise in the number of women entering state medical schools and pursuing careers as doctors. Between the years 1990-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-2020, percentage of female medical students had been 42,46,51,54,60 and 63 respectively. Above results clearly demonstrate the rising number of female medical students from 1990 to 2020. Cohorts from 1991-1995, up to 2011-2015 have already entered the doctor workforce, while a portion of the 2016-2020 are still medical students. According to the liner trend analysis, percentage of female medical students would rise to 68.6 in 2025 and 72.6 in 2030. Currently, Sri Lanka has around 7500 medical students in the training pathway and out of which nearly two thirds are females. More women are attending medical school and becoming doctors in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the authors foresee a future shortfall of male-dominated surgical trainees and specialists as medical school graduates are becoming more feminized. Sri Lankan Health policy makers should take serious note of feminization of the medical doctor workforce and act proactively from the perceptive of Health Human Resources.