South East Asian Health Ministers call on President Kumaratunga

Health Ministers from eleven South East Asian nations are now in Colombo for a WHO Conference. The Minister and Senior WHO and local health officials called on President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on Monday.

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. WHO's South-East Asia Regional Director Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang 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. 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.