A meeting was held between Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Phuntsho Wangyel of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the Health and Mass Media Ministry recently.

Views were exchanged on the current performance, future plans and challenges of the country’s healthcare system. Phuntsho Wangyel serves as the Country Officer in Charge of the United Nations Population Fund Sri Lanka and Maldives. Phuntsho Wangyel will serve as the Country Officer in Charge of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, effective from September 1.

Wangyel, who has expertise and experience in development planning, coordination and public policy as well as policy analysis, had a wide-ranging exchange of views with the Health and Mass Media Minister on the current functioning of the healthcare system in the country and the future plans as well as challenges.

Discussions were also held on supporting the promotion of child and maternal health in the country, providing the necessary medical equipment for those services, exchanging knowledge and experiences to make the country’s national health policy a success, as well as strengthening the programme for sex education and exchanging knowledge.

The Minister also briefed Wangyel on the programme to establish one thousand primary healthcare centres countrywide under the new Government’s health policy to ensure the right of the people living in this country to enjoy the optimal benefits of the health care system with respect and dignity.