South East Asian Health Ministers call on President Kumaratunga
[September 6, 2005 - 7.00 GMT]
Health Ministers from eleven South East Asian nations are now in
Colombo
for a WHO Conference. The Ministers and senior WHO and local health
officials called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday [5th
September].
The
members of the visiting delegation told the President they were very
impressed with the manner in which the Sri Lankan health authorities
coped with the tsunami catastrophe and its aftermath, which prevented
any form of post disaster epidemics. Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang WHO’s
South-East Asia Regional Director had congratulated the Sri Lankan
authorities for their overall handling of the crisis as early as in
January 2005. He assured the WHO’s continued assistance and support,
including its role as health coordinator within the UN family.
The
delegation briefed the President about the goals of the
Colombo
Conference. Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who was
elected chairman of the Regional Conference for the year 2005/2006
said the Conference had discussed the role of the Regional Countries in
exploring with the World Trade Organization the ways and means of
procuring quality and affordable drugs for the developing countries. The
forum also discussed the importance of disaster preparedness and
cooperation in the event of national disasters. At this inaugural
session special attention was paid to the spread of “bird flu” in the
region and measures to combat its spread.
Dr.
Lee Jong-Wook, Director General of the WHO and several senior officials
of the Health Ministry were present at yesterday’s meeting with the
President.
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Last Updated
Date: September 6, 2005 - 7.00 GMT |
