The Past Pupils Association Of Visakha held its first ‘Health Awareness Day’ in 2010 at the London Buddhist Vihara. The aim was to promote healthy lifestyles and increase awareness of common health conditions and commonly encountered health scenarios by providing talks and Question and Answer sessions from expert speakers. Due to the overwhelming success of the inaugural event with very favourable and positive feedback, the committee of PPA Visakha made it an annual event with the blessing and support of the priests at the Vihara. To date we have organised four very successful Health Awareness Days. These events are free and open not just to Sri Lankans but to everyone in the community. 

The theme for the Health Awareness Day 2017 was ‘ Save Lives ‘. It was held on the 11th November and was attended by about 75 people including many people from the local area. 

The attendees had the opportunity to listen to talks and ask questions on the following topics, 

1. Your Heart : a very informative lecture on common heart disease and prevention by Dr.Nabeel Ahmed –Consultant Cardiologist

3. Immediate life support /resuscitation skills : by Mr.Mark Hills –St John’s Ambulance service and Chief Resuscitation Officer ,Spire

    Hartswood Hospital 

Following the lectures the participants were given the opportunity to participate in two workshops, to practice how to perform immediate life support on manikins and to learn about anaesthesia. The day ended with all participants enjoying refreshments and snacks provided by the committee.

Once again the feedback we received from the participants was very positive and the event was appreciated by all.