Latest news with #Bandara
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
TB treatment begins for elephants
Female African elephants, Sonia and Malka, roam in their enclosure at Safari Park where Madhubala is expected to arrive too from the Karachi Zoo. Photo: Express Two elephants at Safari Park, Madhubala and Malika, are undergoing treatment for tuberculosis under the supervision of Sri Lankan veterinary expert Dr Buddhika Bandara. The specialist has arrived in Karachi for a 17-day visit to assess their condition and oversee the treatment, which follows internationally recommended medical protocols. Dr Bandara, accompanied by committee member Yusra Askari and other local veterinarians, addressed the media on Friday to provide an update on the elephants' condition. According to him, both elephants were diagnosed with TB in May, and treatment commenced immediately under international protocols. The treatment consists of two phases - an intensive initial stage lasting two months, followed by a ten-month regimen of regular medication and check-ups. Dr Bandara, who has successfully treated 15 elephants with TB in the past, expressed confidence that Madhubala and Malika will also recover. Both elephants remain under strict medical supervision. To ensure their safety and minimise stress, the Safari Park administration has restricted public access. Visitors may only observe the elephants from designated viewing areas or specially arranged buses. Dr Bandara explained that the elephants' health will be reviewed every two months, with a more comprehensive screening scheduled every six months. The next major assessment will take place in six months. The animals received their most recent medication 13 days ago, and their treatment is progressing as planned. Although the recovery process is long, Dr Bandara emphasised that full recovery is possible if the prescribed treatment protocol is followed diligently. He expressed hope that both elephants will soon show signs of significant improvement.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Hope on the horizon as TB treatment begins for elephants
A Four Paws team sounds the alarm on the health of Madhubala and Malka. PHOTO: EXPRESS Listen to article Two elephants at Safari Park, Madhubala and Malika, are undergoing treatment for tuberculosis under the supervision of Sri Lankan veterinary expert Dr Buddhika Bandara. The specialist has arrived in Karachi for a 17-day visit to assess their condition and oversee the treatment, which follows internationally recommended medical protocols. Dr Bandara, accompanied by committee member Yusra Askari and other local veterinarians, addressed the media on Friday to provide an update on the elephants' condition. According to him, both elephants were diagnosed with TB in May, and treatment commenced immediately under international protocols. The treatment consists of two phases - an intensive initial stage lasting two months, followed by a ten-month regimen of regular medication and check-ups. Dr Bandara, who has successfully treated 15 elephants with TB in the past, expressed confidence that Madhubala and Malika will also recover. Both elephants remain under strict medical supervision. To ensure their safety and minimise stress, the Safari Park administration has restricted public access. Visitors may only observe the elephants from designated viewing areas or specially arranged buses. Dr Bandara explained that the elephants' health will be reviewed every two months, with a more comprehensive screening scheduled every six months. The next major assessment will take place in six months. The animals received their most recent medication 13 days ago, and their treatment is progressing as planned. Although the recovery process is long, Dr Bandara emphasised that full recovery is possible if the prescribed treatment protocol is followed diligently. He expressed hope that both elephants will soon show signs of significant improvement. The park administration, along with attending veterinarians, expressed satisfaction with the current treatment measures. They assured the public that every possible medical facility and expert oversight is being provided to restore the health and vitality of Madhubala and Malika, with the ultimate aim of allowing them to once again become a cherished attraction for park visitors.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Prefab homes built by Anglican diocese help to address Whanganui housing shortage
'During the holidays, a bit of groundwork work is going on, but we're expecting the four in Gonville to be tenanted by August.' In all, 19 are planned for Whanganui. Harris said each house cost about $300,000 to build, with funding coming from the diocese, rather than individual parishes. 'Transportable homes don't work out to be too much cheaper than building on site, but the construction timeline is more predictable,' he said. 'They leave the factory and have everything in them, down to a dishwasher and heating units. 'Blow testing has been done on them, where the house is sealed up and air is blown into it to check for any leakage. There is next to none.' He said the aim was to build 300 homes across the diocese, which stretches from Wellington to Ruapehu and South Taranaki. Whanganui Anglican parish member Din Bandara, part of the project in Whanganui since its inception four years ago, said it had been a 'slow burn' but the results were coming. 'After Covid-19, the cost of living went up and there was a lack of a particular kind of housing - one or two-bedroom units,' he said. 'It could be elderly downsizers, or young people or families stepping into rentals for the first time. 'We identified that gap early on.' Bandara, manager of the Whanganui Community Foundation, said the diocese owned all Whanganui's Anglican churches and the land they sat on, and had identified land that was not used enough. 'At St Peter's, there is a big paddock between the church and [Gonville] school. 'I think it used to have a hall, but that burned down 30 or 40 years ago and the land has never been utilised.' The project in Whanganui also had 'the concept of community', Bandara said. 'Several families who are part of the [St Peter's] church live on Alma and Koromiko roads, and there is a real hope that there'll be wraparound support for people who move in there. 'The plan is to identify those who are in real need of housing and might need a bit of extra support.' Harris said rent for the Whanganui homes was at the lower end of the market, and tenants got a brand-new home. 'They are set up so the energy costs for heating and air conditioning are really low. 'For us as a parish, this has been an exciting thing and everyone is really getting behind it.' Solutions to Whanganui's housing shortage had to be worked through collectively, Bandara said. Originally, there were plans for two homes at the St Lawrence's site in Aramoho. ' We sold the church to the artist Sue Cooke, who has done great work there and really cares for the building, but we came to an agreement about turning the car park into a couple of units,' he said. 'When we went to the [Whanganui District] council, they said we only had 370 square metres when we needed 400sqm. 'The council loved the concept but there are a number of inherited obstacles.' Another example was people being fined for having front-yard cabins in Whanganui, he said. 'A commonsense approach is needed there because there is still a housing shortage in Whanganui.' Earlier this month, Whanganui district councillor Kate Joblin said it seemed central government wanted to take its 'hands off [housing] and leave it to the communities'. The Anglican project was one example, she said. 'Funding, of course, is an issue, but wouldn't it be great if the community stepped up even more and got involved in this space? 'It may be an opportunity.' Harris said Bedrock could build homes for the commercial market in future, but that was not the project's purpose. 'If we wanted to make money, we would be selling the land. 'This is about building affordable rental homes.'
