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 The
WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for the period 2006-2011 was launched on
15th February 2006 in Colombo
with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Healthcare and
Nutrition (MOH) and many development partners. Hon. Minister of Healthcare
and Nutrition, Mr Nimal Siripala
de Silva was the Chief Guest at the launch. Officials from WHO South East
Asia Regional Office and the Geneva Head Quarters participated.
The previous WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for Sri Lanka was
developed in 2002 as a framework of cooperation between WHO and the
Government of Sri Lanka. As a medium term strategy, the CCS spelled out the
principles and core functions of WHO and served as the fundamental guiding
document for developing all the technical programs of the organization in the
country from 2002 to 2005.
In Sri
Lanka significant development in the
health sector was visible during the early years of the new millennium.
Rapidly changing demographic and epidemiological scenarios, changing health
needs and demands moulded by the technological and
social transitions, have increased the expectations of the people posing new
challenges. The additional challenges faced by the MOH in implementing the
Health Sector Master Plan, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and rebuilding the nation, battered by a 20 year
long civil unrest have mandated re-visiting the CCS in order to fine-tune its
focus on emerging health needs. The unexpected tsunami further forced to
shift the focus towards health system rehabilitation in selected districts.
The CCS revision was a fairly comprehensive and inclusive
process and a series of consultative meetings were organized to discuss the next
priorities in health with extensive participation of MOH, Global HQ, Regional
and National WHO officials, developmental partners and other stakeholders.
Six priority areas of work were jointly identified as shown in the box below,
describing the WHO strategic agenda’s priorities.
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