The workload, outcome and waiting time of cardiothoracic operations: a single unit study in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction Heart disease is the commonest cause of death worldwide. Its surgical treatment is expensive, and resources are limited. Although there is general concern regarding the work of cardiothoracic units in Sri Lanka, there is very little scientific data regarding it. Our objective was to establish the workload, outcome and waiting time of cardiothoracic operations in a single unit in Sri Lanka. Methods Prospectively entered data from the clinic register and operation logbooks from August 2010 to March 2020 were reviewed retrospectively and collected on data extraction sheets. The data was entered onto a Microsoft EXCEL database and analyzed using SPSS [Statistical Package for Social Sciences]. Results In 1100 patients, 759 [69%] were males and 341[31%], females; The mean age was 50.8 years [1 day-77 years]. Coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] was the commonest operation [573;52.1%].

The Influence of Habitat Changes on Elephant Mortality Associated with Human–Elephant Conflict: Identifying Areas of Concern in the North Central Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

“…This investigation provides both an example of how habitat quality and human activity can impact HWC, and a call to more effectively manage elephants in Sri Lanka in light of recent changes in land governance. Most notably, shifting the oversight of OSFs to local governments [35] may negatively impact both elephants and humans through increased HEC for reasons we have illustrated here, and indeed, it is counterproductive to sustaining elephant populations through the efforts outlined in Sri Lanka's 2019 National Policy on the Conservation and Management of Wild Elephants. Instead, we suggest that studies such as this one, which predict the impact of habitat modifications on elephants and other wildlife, should guide policy that addresses HWC.…”

“…Our results suggest that habitat quality, including changes by humans, affects HEC in the NWR of Sri Lanka. These retrospective analyses indicate that future habitat modifi cations-such as those that may occur with shifting governance of OSFs in this area of Sri Lanka [35]-could exacerbate the problem of HEC. While fine-scale spatial records of elephant mortality were unavailable, inter-district differences in human-caused mortality (an indicator of HEC) from 2009 to 2018 support this claim.…”

“…OSFs are forests that have not been legally declared as protected areas. The governance of these forests was formerly under the Forest Department of Sri Lanka, but recently this has been shifted to regional governments so that they can be utilized for economic development if necessary [35]. Critics of this move suggest changes to OSFs will have negative repercussions for humans and elephants, with a concomitant increase in HEC.…”