The University of Colombo, Faculty of Medicine and the George Institute for Global Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, and Asian Development Bank recently established a Centre for Health Systems Policy and Innovation (CHSPI) which aims to provide an impactful support to build better, more resilient primary health care-centred health systems, through generating evidence to inform policies, developing capacities to improve evidence-based policy and decision-making, and creating platforms to increase dialogue between key stakeholders.
On 12th of December, 2023 the WHO organised the International Universal Health Coverage day with the participation of Hon. Minister of Health, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, along with the respective government officials and key stakeholders in the relevant fields of the country. There, Prof Upul Senarath addressed the dialogue on better care for elderly by representing the CHSPI. The aim of this dialogue was to identify rational direction for the next health policy cycle on what can be done effectively for our ageing population.
The opening remarks of the event was begun at 9.00 A.M. in Galle Face Hotel premises and continued till 3.00 P.M with a very fruitful and effective group discussion. On the same day the 75th Anniversary of WHO in Sri Lanka was celebrated with the issue of a first day stamp cover.
CHSPI is looking forward to organize more policy dialogue events in near future as a continuation of the policy dialogues
Based on the ideas generated through the last policy dialogue which was held on the 12th of December 2023, CHSPI organized its next discussion focusing on improving intermediate care for older adults through an integrated and holistic approach. The dialogue was successfully held on on the 15th February, 2024 with the participation of number of consultants in WHO and Ministry of Health and it was held from 9.00am to 2.00pm at 5th Floor of UCFM Tower, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.
Firstly, Vidyajothi Professor Vajira Dissanayake, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo welcomed participants and introduced the objective of the event. Then, Prof Upul Senarath summarized the first policy dialogue and the aims of the second policy dialogue. After the tea break, under the technical inputs for the policy dialogue on intermediate care, Dr Barana Millawithana, President, Sri Lankan Association of Geriatric Medicine defined the scope of intermediate care and Intermediate care in Sri Lankan context was spoken by Dr. Chamila Dalpatadu, Consultant Physician Senior Lecturer and Director of the Ambulatory care and aged care research center, Department of Physiology, University of Colombo.
Then most important part of the session was on open discussion on intermediate care for older adults in perspectives of service needs, human resources, financing options, partnerships and governance which was conducted under the moderation of Dr. H.S.R. Perera, Consultant to the WHO and Dr. Vinya Ariyarathne, Immediate past president of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Thereafter, the dialogue was concluded by summarizing the day and remaking the way forward.
