US’ Kids and Teens Medical Group enters Sri Lanka

• Leading paediatric primary care provider partners Healthy Life Clinic
• Kids and Teens Group officials intend to open 10 branches by next year

By Safna Malik

Kids and Teens Medical Group, one of the leading paediatric primary care centres based in the US, has entered Sri Lanka, opening the first facility in Colombo with plans to expand its services countrywide. 

Kids and Teens Medical Group in collaboration with Healthy Life Clinic last week opened the first centre at Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Kids and Teens Medical Group Co-Founder and CEO Sunil De Silva, his wife Fellow of the American Academy of Paediatrics Dr. Janesri De Silva, McLarens Group Chairman Rohan De Silva and McLarens Group Managing Director Shehara De Silva attended the launch event. 

The Kids and Teens Medical Group Co-Founder and CEO Sunil De Silva raised the need for a paediatric primary care centre in Sri Lanka as the practices take an integrated approach to care in the vision of providing the highest degree of healthcare under a simple yet effective philosophy. 

He said the Kids and Teens Medical Group was one of the largest and leading paediatric primary care centres in the US operating for over 15 years in 11 locations.

“We believe there is a shortcoming in the Sri Lankan clinic system. Our strength is to help the patient and the physician to follow up on conditions and your wellbeing. Sri Lankan physicians will have the luxury of being able to participate in the latest care guidelines through our network in the USA. If the necessity arises, our team in Los Angeles, USA will be able to offer second or third opinions on diseases,” De Silva explained. 

Speaking about their specialities, he said they would make sure to accommodate patients throughout the day by making an effort to offer same-day appointments. They are also equipped to provide reliable service at affordable prices for patients and intend to expand the network up to 10 healthcare centres by next year. 

Expressing happiness about the partnership with the Kids and Teen Medical Group Healthy Life Clinic, Director and Head Physician Dr. Kayathri Periasamy said their clinic was a holistic healthcare centre that treated a broad portfolio of diagnostic patients and offered proactive health management solutions for those who needed it.

The centre provides instant consultation services, diabetes care, diet, nutrition advice, foot care, eye care, medical check-ups, and endocrinology services through a wide network of medical professionals, enabling immediate medical advice for any health issue without having to wait for an appointment. While Healthy Life Clinic treats medical conditions for adults, Kids and Teen Group will cater to primary care for paediatrics and general practice. 

McLarens Group Chairman Rohan De Silva was delighted to be part of the launch event and he said this new initiative would be the first network of its kind in the country. 

With people looking for healthcare support and solutions that are easily accessible, the Kids and Teens Group and Healthy Life Clinic will provide a quality healthy solution with a range of comprehensive primary care like consultations, sick care, guidance on development and nutrition, parenting tips and resources. 

Dr. Janesri De Silva also expressed her views and their visions and goals, “to improve healthcare by implementing what we have learned in the USA to Sri Lanka. By maintaining a system where we inform patients who are behind on their vaccines or preventive health visits and other chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. We have grown a lot during the pandemic and created new protocols to keep our patients and staff safe and protected. We will use our knowledge from serving over 250,000 patients and 11 clinics in the USA.” 

She points out that all the medical records were maintained digitally and electronically for in-outpatient primary care. The centralised medical records would give access to healthcare professionals to view medical information to have an up-to-date report of the patient’s health from anywhere around the globe. 

In addition to providing consultation, immunisations, and child check-ups, paediatricians will also check a variety of acute and chronic illnesses in patients. She said the centre would be a one-stop for patients who require a diagnosis and treatment, or a referral to a specialist if necessary. 

She also highlighted the medical facilities on board in the centre, rooms are spacious with new tech equipment and the therapy spaces are fitted with up-to-date diagnostic and treatment tools. The clinic also focuses on family medicine, driving a comprehensive healthcare agenda for families and individuals to help proactively maintain their health and wellbeing. The Kids and Teens Medical Group staff are trained and they view children as the future and believe they must preserve their health, prevent illness and optimise wellness and wellbeing.

De Silva said doctors were well trained and the medical officers would be available any time at the clinic. “We are implementing a new revolutionised system to improve the efficiency of the healthcare industry in Sri Lanka.”

Some of the renowned specialists and medical professionals who are set to work with the Kids and Teen Medical Group include Dr. Yasas Abeywickrama, Dr. Kosala Karunarathna, Dr. Rajaratnam Ajanthan, Dr. Mohamed Imran Muhuseen, Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa, Benjamin Yoga, Dr. Janaka Algama, Ramya Devi and Dr. Rasheeda Ali.