Minister of Health Hon Mr. Maithripala Sirisena Visits Russian Federation
25th – 29th April 2011
”We recognize Health as a key factor for development in the democratic Sri Lanka. Our vision is to work for Health‐for‐all Sri Lankans. ”
This is fractions from the speech made by Hon. Minister Maithripala Sirisena who attended a reсeption hosted by Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga on 27th April, 2011 at his residence. Hon. Maithripala Siresena visited the Russian Federation from 25‐29 April 2011 in connection with the First Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Noncommunicable Diseases Control which took place in Moscow from 28‐29 April.
The conference has been organized by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the conference was to agree upon a set of recommendations at the level of Health Ministers, in the lead up to the UN High Level Summit on Non Communicable Diseases to be held from 19‐20th September 2011 in New York during the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly. The conference was declared open on 28th by H.E. Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, H.E. Tatyana Golikova, Minister of Public Health and Social Development of Russia and other dignitaries. H.E. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister and the Head of Government of the Russian Federation participated as a special guest during a high level discussion chaired by H.E. Tatyana Golikova.
During a high level panel discussion which followed, health ministers of India, Russia, USA, China, South Africa and Saudi Arabia discussed and shared experiences towards preventing Noncommunicable diseases from a national perspective. During the second half of the conference special focus was paid to the key determinants of Noncommuncable diseases i.e. Tobacco Control, Food and nutrition, Harmful use of alcohol and Physical activity, sports and transport. At the conference the socioeconomic dimensions of Noncommunicable diseases on developing countries were specially stressed upon, while it was urged of the participants for consorted action for prevention of Noncommunicable diseases through international cooperation. The need monitoring, surveillance and taking preventive action on the common forms of Noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers etc was highlighted throughout the conference.
Adequate financing and investment by governments and civil society of the individual countries against Noncommunicable diseases as well as the need to take integrated approaches thorough multispectral cooperation in drafting and implementation of national policies were identified as significant measures in Noncommunicable disease control. For example the panelists highlighted the need for integrated public policies in sectors such as trade, taxation, education, agriculture, urban development, food and pharmaceutical production rather than focusing on making changes only in health policies.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation facilitated the visit and participation of Hon. Maithripala Sirisena and the Sri Lankan delegation at the conference. On 26th April, the Embassy of Sri Lanka hosted a special Reception in honour of Hon. Maithripala Sirisena and the Sri Lankan delegation. Sri Lankan students studying General Medicine at Kursk State Medical University, Tver State Medical Academy, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and Nizhny Novgorod State Medical University were present at the reception in addition to the Sri Lankan business community in Moscow, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The Embassy provided the opportunity for the Sri Lankan students to speak with the Hon. Minister of Health and other officials of the Ministry of Health, on various issues and concerns relating to their studies. Continuing his speech Hon. Minister said that “Sri Lankan health care system is obligated to deliver equal care to all Sri Lankan citizens regardless of their place of residence. A longterm investment has been made to intensify the health requirments in Sri Lanka and to deliver the best possible health care to our populations.”
Minister Sirisena thanked the Russian Federation for the considerable assistance given to Sri Lanka, especially in the UN Security Council and other UN organizations. Russia has pledged to continue to assist Sri Lanka for the restoration of peace and reconstruction in the country Ambassador Weeratunga further thanked for Sri lankans who supported Moscow Friendship Library Fund and explained the curent progress of that projects. He informed that all 3 phases already finished and expected to hand over to the Ministry of Defence. Ambassdor weeratunga showed present photos and statistics about Friendship Library using multi media presentation.
The main issues raised by the students included the position of the Sri Lanka Medical Council regarding recognition of change of designation of the medical degrees awarded by the Russian Medical universities from “Doctor of Medicine” to “Physician specializing in General Medicine” with effect from 2010, concerns over Act 16 examination conducted by the Sri Lanka Medical Council for Foreign Medical graduates, etc.
The students also requested the Hon. Minister to make arrangements for Sri Lankan doctors to visit Russian Medical Universities for short terms assignments to conduct special programs for Sri Lankan students to prepare for Act 16 exams. The Hon. Minister gave positive responses to the requests of the students and instructed the officials of the Ministry of Health to look into the concerns of the students. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Member of Parliament and Dr. U.A. Mendis and Mr. Oleg Avdeev from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation also addressed the audience. Hon. Minister of Health was accompanied by Hon. (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana, M.P., Mr. S. Vithanage, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. U.A. Mendis, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Mr. Leslie Fernando, Public Relations Officer of Hon. Minister during the visit.
