Asiri Central Hospital selected as first-ever overseas venue for intl. FRCS Neurosurgery exam

From left: Asiri Group of Hospitals CEO Dr. Manjula Karunaratne, Neurosurgeons Association of Sri Lanka President Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, JCIE (neurosurgery) Chairman Neil Kitchen, College of Surgeons, Sri Lanka President Elect Dr. Nissanka Jayawardena, Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination Board Chairman Tom Cadoux-Hudson, Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination Board RCSED Representative Professor Nihal Gurusinghe  

Having set the benchmark for pioneering medical care and advanced technology, Asiri Group of Hospital’s Central Hospital had the unique privilege of hosting the prestigious International FRCS examination in Neurosurgery recently.

Remarkably, this was the first time ever the FRCS Neurosurgery examination was held outside UK, providing the ideal platform to showcase highly specialised local facilities. The opportunity to host such an event in Sri Lanka has contributed immensely towards enhancing the international profile of the neurosurgical services in Sri Lanka and the country’s academic reputation.

This prestigious, internationally recognised qualification demonstrates to colleagues, peers, and employers a surgeon’s knowledge and clinical skills.

The Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) is responsible to the four Surgical Royal Colleges of UK (Edinburgh, England, Glasgow) and Ireland for the professional conduct and delivery of the Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations (FRCS Specialty).

44 candidates from around the world sat for the examination under the supervision of 18 senior consultant neurosurgeons from the UK who were the examiners.

A team of representatives from the Royal College of Surgeons had previously toured the local facilities to select a suitable venue. Asiri Hospital’s renowned Brain and Spine Centre at Asiri Central Hospital, Colombo was chosen as the fitting venue to conduct the clinical examination.

“We are extremely honoured that Asiri’s Brain and Spine Centre located at Asiri Central Hospital was chosen as the venue for this prestigious examination. It is a testament to the top-class facilities available at the Centre and also a great leap of faith in our healthcare standards,” said Asiri Group of Hospitals CEO Dr. Manjula Karunaratne.

Working in collaboration with teams from the National Hospital, the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka and the Neurosurgeons Association of Sri Lanka, the Asiri Hospital Team rose to the occasion coordinating logistical arrangements, the required manpower including nursing and minor staff, interpreters, etc., ensuring the examinations conducted ran smoothly and were declared a success. The meticulous selection of the clinical cases was undertaken by the Neurosurgical Association of Sri Lanka. 

“The success of organising this event was mostly due to the hospital, especially the Senior Management of Asiri Health who wholeheartedly supported us and it is my duty to acknowledge and appreciate them,” said Asiri Central Hospital Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr. Sunil Perera.

Dr. Perera added, “Even during the initial UK representatives’ visit, they were very impressed with the neurosurgery taking place in this hospital. From among all the other private sector hospitals in Colombo, this was considered the ideal venue.”