The International Epidemiological Association (IEA) held its first South Asia regional group meeting in Sri Lanka, parallel to the 24th annual academic sessions of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL). The event was held from September 19 to 21, at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
These sessions were attended by local and international health professionals and this can be considered a victory of Sri Lanka and a demonstration of the development of the Sri Lankan health sector.
This meeting was held in Sri Lanka as the health sector continued to meet international standards under the guidance of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.
Over 450 epidemiologists took part in the regional group meeting through which professionals across the world expected to foster closer ties with each other.
The International Epidemiological Association comprises epidemiologists spread across over 100 countries. The Association works in Sri Lanka with the CCPSL. The event was themed ‘Shaping a Healthy Future–Youth as a Smart Investment’. This theme that is linked with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, focuses on investments, finance and the youth to ensure that a country can obtain development sustainably.
Minister Dr. Senaratne was the chief guest at the event. UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer, Professor Umesh Kapil and Professor Chandra Mani Pandey who represented the International Epidemiological Association spoke at the inauguration.
Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women Executive Director Sivananthi Thanenthiran made the keynote address. CCPSL Chairman Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, its secretary Dr. Shavin Semage and a number of other Sri Lankan community physicians were also present. A number of community physicians were felicitated for their service to the sector.
It is expected that the knowledge and information obtained during these sessions will help improve Sri Lankan community health sector.
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