Workshop on Microbiology

COLOMBO: The Health Ministry and the Medical Research Institute in association with four leading French health institutions - Pasteur Institute, French Institute of Public Health Surveillance (INVS), Pitie Salpetriere Hospital and World Health Organisation will hold two-week workshop from March 19 to 30 on the "Improvement of the Microbiology, Diagnosis and the Surveillance Tools in Sri Lanka at the Medical Research Institute.

This is yet another opportunity where France and Sri Lanka cooperate for mutual benefit and enhance the relations between the two countries. Global issues including virus transmitted by mosquitoes (i.e.: Chikungunya, dengue fever) and other transmitted diseases (i.e.: seasonal flu, avian flu and leptospirosis) for which France is actively involved in the research process will be addressed during the programme.

Expertise on biological diagnosis and surveillance will be shared between the French and Sri Lankan experts in the field.

On the direction of the former Health Minister in France Douste-Blazy, the INVS and the Pasteur Institute jointly conducted a mission to evaluate the health status of Sri Lanka in December 2005. Subsequent to this, ten eminent French scientists affiliated to the leading diagnostic health institutions have liaised with the Health Ministry in Sri Lanka and the Medical Research Institute to fulfill this venture.

The practice sessions will be conducted using sophisticated equipment which will then be donated to the relevant Sri Lankan Institutions. This cooperation will continue with exchange of experts from both countries, through participation in international conferences and training programmes.