I am writing this in response to the news item in your paper of 26 January 2021 under the caption, “GMOA seeks university admission for medical students at the age of 18”.
This communication from me is practically from the horse’s mouth; from someone who, so many eons ago in 1965, benefitted by being allowed the privilege of joining the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ceylon, as a novice Medical Student, at the tender age of 18 years and two months.
I sat the GCE (A/L) Examination in December 1964, at the age of 17 years and five months, offering the four subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Zoology and Botany. In or around March 1965 we had the Practical Examination in all those four subjects at the University of Ceylon in Reid Avenue. I think the results of the examination were released around July or August 1965. There were around 250 vacancies for medical students, 150 in the Faculty of Medicine Colombo and 100 in the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya. There were only two Fac
PCR tests on children - 0
PCR testing is not a pleasant experience. This is because PCR tests typically test the fluids in the nasopharyngeal area where the highest volumes of the virus are present. But could this invasive test damage the delicate nasal interiors in infants and children?
“PCR testing in children is not different to tests conducted on adults,” opined Dr. B J C Perera, Specialist Consultant Paediatrician and Founder President of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians. “But it may be a bit more difficult in children as they would react during the test. Another option is to test saliva, but the accepted test is the nasopharyngeal test.” said Dr. Perera.