WHO Chief Commends Sri Lanka's Disease Control Efforts During Disaster
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Sri Lanka's proactive measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases during a recent disaster. This commendation comes as the country continues to recover from the aftermath of the disaster, with the government and health authorities working tirelessly to maintain strong and uninterrupted health services.
The WHO's Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in New Delhi, India, brought together key stakeholders from around the world. Sri Lanka's Minister of Health, Nalinda Jayatissa, met with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss the country's post-disaster management efforts. During the meeting, Jayatissa explained that the government is implementing a systematic and planned program to ensure the recovery process is safe and effective, with a focus on preventing any outbreak or spread of communicable diseases among affected communities.
Dr. Tedros emphasized the importance of maintaining control over communicable diseases during crises, highlighting the severe consequences that could arise if outbreaks were to occur. He praised the Sri Lankan government and health authorities for their swift and effective disaster response and post-disaster measures.
The summit, organized jointly by the WHO and India's Ministry of Ayush, aims to advance evidence, integration, and innovation in traditional medicine. It brings together ministers, scientists, indigenous leaders, and professionals from over 100 countries, with the goal of implementing and advancing the WHO's Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034. This strategy focuses on stronger evidence, better regulation, system integration, collaboration, and community participation.
It's worth noting that around 90% of WHO member states report that between 40-90% of their populations use traditional medicine, underscoring the importance of traditional medicine in global health. The summit will announce key scientific priorities and new commitments to further advance this critical area of healthcare.
