Tests for blood pressure, blood sugar and blood group tests will be available at a nominal fee by the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the ‘Vedasa,’ Medical Exhibition to be held by the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sri Jayewardenepura University, to mark the Golden jubilee of the University on January 6, next year.

Student of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sandya Kalyani Abeywickrema told the media yesterday that the Exhibition would be held at the BMICH. A stall depicting how accidents could happen, the way to prevent them and first aid would also be included. Those attending the exhibition would be given first hand experience on administering first aid, she said.

Abeywickrema said the exhibition would also give an account of the diseases and illness that could affect each part of the body, methods of early detection and cure. Stalls describing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and communicable diseases such as filariasis, malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy and dengue will also hold special places in the exhibition.

These stalls will be presented with assistance from the Epidemiology Unit of Sri Lanka.

"Street dramas carrying special messages on sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drug abuse will be presented in all parts of the exhibition ground with assistance from the STD/AIDS campaign, and the Anti Drug Information Centre (ADIC)," she said.

A communiqué issued by the Faculty of medical, Sciences Sri Jayewardenepura said there would be ‘Theme Days’, discussing topics of public interest like ‘childhood’ obesity, Adolescence and Health, Physical Exercise and Health, pests and diseases such as leptospirosis (rat fever).

Over eight hundred schools have been invited for the ‘Vedasa’ exhibition, It said tickets for adults will be sold at Rs.50, students in school uniform will be charged Rs. 20 while children below the age of 12 attending the exhibition wearing casuals will be charged Rs. 30.

The Exhibition is sponsored by the BMICH, the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, Dialog – Telecom, Ceylon Cold Stores, Coca Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited, Unilevers and A Baurs and Company.