Director General of the World Health Organsiation Dr. Margaret Chan commended the efforts made by the President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as the former Minister of Health in advancing the health sector in Sri Lanka. The Director General made these remarks at a side –event on Non – Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which was attended by President Sirisena on the side – lines of his visit to the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 22nd September 2016.
The event which was co –hosted by the Government of Russia and the World Health Organisation(WHO) launched the Friends of the United –Nations Inter – Agency Task Force on prevention and control of NCDs initiative and provided an overview of the current work of the Task Force, showcasing action at country level, discuss on supporting Member States to achieve the NCD-related Sustainable Development Goals, and outlining a number of global joint programmes that now require funding in order to become operational.
The United –Nations Inter – Agency Task Force on prevention and control of NCDs comprising of 11 UN agencies conducted a mission to Sri Lanka in October 2015, and met with President Sirisena, during which he expressed Sri Lanka’s strong political commitments towards NCD prevention and control measures. As a follow – up to the Task Force Mission, a Multi –Sectoral Action Plan on prevention of NCDs in Sri Lanka is being currently finalised, and a National Steering Committee and a National Advisory Body for NCDs has been set up.
Ambassador Rohan Perera, Permanent Representatives of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York and Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, the Permanent Representatives of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva were associated with President Sirisena at the event.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Geneva
23 September 2016
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