Dr. Ganeshamoorthy Pragasan

Dr G. Pragasan is a lecturer (Probationary) in Community Medicine at the Department of Primary Health Care. He graduated from the Eastern University Sri Lanka in 2012 and obtained MSc in Community Medicine in 2017. Currently, he is doing his MD in Community Medicine as well as MSc in Applied Statistics.

Prior to joining the faculty, he worked at the Family Health Bureau of Ministry of Health, where he contributed to develop many school health guidelines, circulars, and booklets and also conducted several training programmes for health professionals and school teachers. He played a key role in the development of online module on good parenting and e-learning platform ‘Healthy School Life’ (www.schoolhealth.fhb.health.gov.lk).

Google Scholar:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Mxe4yQQAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Gate:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ganeshamoorthy-Pragasan

Indexed Journal Articles

1. Vithana, C., Lokubalasooriya, A., Pragasan, G., Mahagamage, K. L., Nanayakkara, K.,Herath, H. P., Karunarathna, P., Perera, N., De Silva, C., Jayawardene, D. & Wickramasinghe, N. D. (2023). Effectiveness of an educational intervention to promote psychosocial well-being of school-going adolescents in Sri Lanka. BMC public health,23(1), 2185.
2. Dias T, Abeykoon S, Kumarasiri S, Mendis P Gunawardena C, Pragasan G, Padeniya T, Pathmeswaran A. Fetal Doppler reference values in women with a normal body mass index. Ceylon Medical Journal. 2019; 64: 59-65. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v64i2.8888 
3. Dias T, Chandrasiri D, Abeykoon S, Gunawardena C, Pragasan G, Padeniya T,  Pathmeswaran A. Comparison of ultrasound fetal biometry of singleton fetuses with a reference chart in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status. Ceylon Medical Journal. 2017; 62(1), 47–56. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v62i1.8434
4. Dias T, Abeykoon S, Kumarasiri S, Gunawardena C, Pragasan G, Padeniya T, Pathmeswaran A. Symphysis-pubis fundal height charts to assess fetal size in women with a normal body mass index. Ceylon Medical Journal. 2016; 61: 106-112
5. Dias T, Shanmugaraja V, Ganeshamoorthy P, Kumarasiri S, Abeykoon S, Padeniya T. Birthweight standards - Ability of birthweight percentiles in predicting abnormal fetal growth and outcome. Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2014; 36(4): 85-88
6. Dias T, Wijesinghe E, Abeykoon S, Ganeshamoorthy P, Kumarasiri S, Kodithuwakku M Gunawardena C, Padeniya T. Pregnancy outcome at extremes of reproductive age in a tertiary care hospital. Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2013; 35(3): 77-79

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Pragasan G, Arulanandem K, Gishanthan S, Sivakaran S, Karunakaran KE. Influence of maternal and fetal factors of low birthweight. Batticaloa Medical Journal. 2014; 6: 29-31.

Presentations at International / National / Regional Conferences /Symposia

1. Arulanandem, K., Pragasan, G., Herath, H.M.T.P., Shobana, N. & Jigashalja, G.Perceptions on holistic primary care for non communicable diseases among residents in the university community project area, Batticaloa. International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (ICMR 2024) of Eastern University, Sri Lanka
2. Pragasan G, Arulanandem K, Kartheepan K, Sukunan G, Herath T, Shobana S, Jigashalja G, Sanjeev N. Perceptions and barriers to adopting healthy lifestyle modifications among adults in the Kokkuvil Public Health Inspector Area in Batticaloa. Research Conference of Faculty of Medicine – Jaffna 2022.
3. Gishanthan S., Jeepara P., Pragasan G. Outcomes following traumatic brain injury and factors associated with mortality at a tertiary care unit. Annual Academic Session 2021 of Kandy Society of Medicine.
4. Lokubalasooriya A., Vithana C., Pragasan G., Mahagamage K., Nanayakkara K., Herath H., Karunarathna P., Jayawardane D., Wickramasinghe N. Effectiveness of an educational intervention to promote psychosocial wellbeing of school going adolescents in the Western province, Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Session 2020, College of Community Physicians Sri Lanka.
5. Kogulan T, Pragasan G, Shylendren CAR, Kugaraj G, Kurukulasooriya GMPCP. Pattern of findings in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at district general hospital, Polonnaruwa. Annual Academic Session 2019 of Polannaruwa Clinical Society.
6. Pragasan G, Alagiyawanna MAAP. Prevalence, correlates and attitudes towards nonsmoking status among male technical college students, Batticaloa. SLMA 130th Anniversary International Medical Congress 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
7. Pragasan G, Alagiyawanna MAAP, Yamini V. Association and attitudes towards teetotalism among male technical college students, Batticaloa. SLMA 130th Anniversary International Medical Congress 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
8. Dias TD, Palihawadana TS, Wijekoon D, Pragasan G, Abeykoon S, Shanmugaraja V, Padeniya T. Retention of intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) after post-placental and interval insertion: A randomized clinical trial. 8th Annual scientific session 2015 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
9. Pragasan G, Ramanayake RDH, Ekanayake H, Adikarama BMGMPY, Dayaratne DARK. Bombay O group patient with severe anaemia: Challenges in management. 8th Annual scientific session 2015 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
10. Pragasan G, Dias T, Abeykoon S, Gunawardena C, Kumarasiri S, Pathmeswaran A, Padeniya T. Charts of fetal abdominal and femur length measurements for local population. FIGO-SAFOG-SLCOG 2014 International conference. Colombo, Sri Lanka.
11. Pragasan G, Dias T, Abeykoon S, Gunawardena C, Kumarasiri S, Pathmeswaran A, Padeniya T. Charts of fetal head measurements for local population. FIGO-SAFOG-SLCOG 2014 International conference. Colombo, Sri Lanka.
12. Dias T, Shanmugaraja V, Ganeshamoorthy P, Kumarasiri S, Abeykoon S, Liyanage G, Jayasinghe P, Padeniya T. Sri Lankan birthweight standards: clinical validation of birthweight percentiles in predicting perinatal and neonatal mortality. RCOG World Congress 2014, Hyderabad, India.
13. Parthiepan A, Parthiepan S, Pragasan G, Sethunge SMAM, Vijitharan K. Pattern of cancer among patients attending Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. Annual scientific session 2014 of Batticaloa Medical Association.
14. Abeykoon S, Gunawardena C, Pragasan G, Padeniya T, Pathmeswaran A, Dias T. Development of size charts of symphysis pubis fundal height measurements for Sri Lankan population. 7th Annual scientific session 2014 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
15. Wijekoon D, Ganeshamoorthy P, Abeykoon S, Liyanage G, Padeniya T, Tennakoon S, Palihawadana T,  Dias TD. Post-placental and interval intrauterine contraceptive device(IUD) insertion: Does timing matter?. 7th Annual scientific session 2014 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
16. Pragasan G, Adikarama BMGMPY. Unexpected antibodies among Rh negative pregnant mothers at a tertiary care hospital. 7th Annual scientific session 2014 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
17. Pragasan G, Parthiepan A, Parthiepan S. Thyroid cancer profile at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Sri Lanka. 7th Annual scientific session 2014 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
18. Wijesinghe E, Abeykoon S, Ganeshamoorthy P, Kumarasiri S, Kodithuwakku M Gunawardena C, Padeniya T, Dias T. Pregnancy outcome at extremes of reproductive age in a tertiary care hospital. 6th Annual scientific session 2013 of Galoya Nimna Clinical Society.
19. Thirukumar M, Pragasan G, Gishanthan S.  Characteristics of pregnant mothers in Padduwankarai, Batticaloa. Annual scientific session 2012 of Batticaloa Medical Association.
20. Gishanthan S, Pragasan G, Arulpragasam AN. Morbidity and mortality pattern in the special care baby unit of teaching hospital Batticaloa. Annual scientific session 2012 of Batticaloa Medical Association.
21. Pragasan G, Gishanthan S, Sivakaran S, Arulanandem K, Karunakaran KE. Influence of maternal and foetal factors of low birthweight. Annual scientific session 2011 of Batticaloa Medical Association.

Books / Book Chapters

Co-editor of the following books published by Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health

1. School Health Programme – Guideline for Health staffs (Sinhala and Tamil)
2. Psychosocial Health Promotion of Schoolchildren – Handbook (English and Tamil)
3. Psychosocial Health Promotion of Schoolchildren - Manual for trainers (Sinhala and Tamil)
4. Prevention of Obesity and overweight among school children (Tamil)
5. Let’s Protect Adolescents Children through Good Parenting (English and Tamil)
6. யௌவனப்பருவ பெண்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் பாலியல் இனப்பெருக்க சுகாதார அறிவூட்டல் தொகுப்பிற்கான வழிகாட்டல் கைநூல்

• Maternal and Child Health
• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• Adolescent Health

• Undergraduate 
  • Lecturer (Prob) in Community Medicine from 2022 
    – Courses: MBBS and B. Sc (Nursing)
• Visiting Lecturer / Resource person for workshops
  • Trainer for the following training programme of Family Health Bureau
    • Psychosocial wellbeing of school children
    • Prevention of obesity and overweight among school children
    • Sexual and reproductive health for adolescents and youth
  • Resource person for Teacher training programmes (Health subject- Tamil medium) – Ministry of Education and National Institute of Education (NIE) (2018-2021)

• Best oral presentation - Annual scientific session 2014 of Batticaloa Medical Association (Pattern of cancer among patients attending Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa)
• Best oral presentation - Annual scientific session 2012 of Batticaloa Medical Association (Characteristics of pregnant mothers in Padduwankarai, Batticaloa)

At the University

• Lecturer (Prob) in Community Medicine – from 2022
• Module coordinator from 2022
  • PH 01: Epidemiology
  • PH 15: Family and Community Attachment
  • PH 16: Primary Health Care Clerkship
• Faculty Board Member
• Convener – IT cell of FHCS
• Secretary – Annual Research Session of Faculty of Health-Care Sciences – 2022

Before joining FHCS

• Registrar in Community Medicine at Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health (2018-2022)
• Additional Medical Officer of Health (AMOH) - Katana MOH office (2018)
• Medical officer – Non communicable Diseases, RDHS Office, Batticaloa (2017)
• Medical Officer at Regional Blood Centre, GH Ampara (2014 – 2015)
• Intern Medical Officer, GH. Ampara (2012 –2013)
• Demonstrator, Department of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University of Sri Lanka (2012)

Professional Membership

Member of College of Community Physicians