By Newswire Editorial
Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has been elected Chairman of the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting, which commenced in Colombo today (11).
According to a statement issued by Sri Lanka’s Government Information Department, Minister Jayatissa was appointed to chair the meeting, held at the Colombo Hilton Hotel, with the participation of representatives from the seven BIMSTEC member countries.
Meanwhile, India’s Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, addressing the meeting, reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening regional health cooperation.
According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Minister Nadda highlighted India’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage through the Ayushman Bharat programme, improvements in public health infrastructure and digital healthcare initiatives.
He called for enhanced cooperation among BIMSTEC member countries in health security, pandemic preparedness, the One Health approach and traditional medicine.
The Indian Minister also expressed India’s readiness to share its expertise and best practices with other BIMSTEC member nations.
He further highlighted India’s commitment to establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to promote joint research, capacity building and knowledge exchange.
The inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting brings together Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand to discuss regional public health security, infectious disease control, emergency preparedness and the exchange of healthcare technology and expertise.
According to the Government Information Department, Sri Lanka’s chairmanship of the meeting reflects its leadership role in promoting regional health cooperation and coordinating collective action among member countries.
Minister Jayatissa was previously appointed Chairman of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Regional Committee during its 78th session held in Colombo in October 2025.
He was also elected Vice Chair of the Fifth Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference (UNESCAP MC-5), held in Bangkok, Thailand, in October 2026. (Newswire)