Centre for Health Systems Policy and Innovation

Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

The Centre for Health Systems Policy and Innovation (CHSPI) was established in 2023 as a
World Health Organization (WHO) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported initiative at
the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, in collaboration with the George Institute for
Global Health, Sydney, Australia. The Centre is positioned as a national and regional platform
for advancing health systems transformation, policy innovation, and implementation
excellence.
Serving as a policy resource centre and independent think tank, the Centre supports
governments, health institutions, and professional bodies in designing, implementing, and
evaluating reforms that strengthen health systems and accelerate progress towards Precision
Medicine, Primary Health Care, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Centre convenes policymakers, researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, and
technology experts to generate actionable evidence and translate knowledge into policy and
practice. Its core areas of work include primary health care strengthening, genomics, digital
health and artificial intelligence, health systems governance, health financing, implementation
science, and the strategic use of data for decision-making.
In 2026, the Centre commenced a new technical collaboration with the World Health
Organization to advance leadership and institutional capacity in artificial intelligence for
health, with a particular focus on accelerating the implementation of precision medicine,
strengthening primary health care, and supporting universal health coverage. The
collaboration positions the Centre as a regional hub for developing policy frameworks,
leadership competencies, implementation strategies, technical guidance, and collaborative
networks that enable the safe, ethical, equitable, and effective adoption of AI and other
emerging technologies in health systems. Through this collaboration, the Centre will work with
WHO, Member States, academic institutions, and development partners to build sustainable
national and regional capacity while progressing towards designation as a WHO Collaborating
Centre in accordance with WHO policies and procedures.
Through technical collaboration, capacity development, policy dialogue, and multidisciplinary
partnerships, the Centre acts as a bridge between evidence, policy, and service delivery. It
provides a neutral platform for regional learning, cross-country exchange, and innovation,
supporting ministries of health, intergovernmental agencies, regional administrations,
universities, and professional colleges and associations to build resilient, equitable, people-
centred, and future-ready health systems in Sri Lanka and beyond.