Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke assumes duties as the 132nd President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the oldest and premier professional body for doctors in Sri Lanka.
According to the SLMA, trustees, Past Presidents, Council Members, Members of the SLMA, Representatives of professional colleges and Associations, Universities, top officials from the Ministry of Health, Representatives from UN Agencies and Development Partners, and Media Professionals attended the Induction Ceremony, which was held in Colombo.
Delivering his Presidential Address, aptly titled “Wellness in the Nation Through Local and Global Partnerships”, Dr Sumanatilleke reiterated the steadfast commitment and renewed focus of the SLMA, under his leadership, to achieve holistic health and wellness for every Sri Lankan, leveraging local and global partnerships.
He advocated for a shift towards patient-centred care, focusing on the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. By prioritizing early prevention rather than spending millions on curative treatments, his vision aims to ensure more sustainable and effective health outcomes for the nation.
He brought attention to Men’s Health as a vital public health concern that is frequently overlooked during the development of national health policies and strategies.
Dr. Sumanatilleke emphasized the need to strengthen medical training by harnessing the interdependence between different disciplines. His vision is to cultivate a medical profession deeply rooted in the core principles of ethical practice and humanitarianism.
He further issued a nationwide call to action, inviting the government, NGOs, professional organizations, and the media to partner with the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).
Dr. Sumanatilleke also urged these stakeholders to unite in a collaborative effort to navigate the challenging but rewarding path toward achieving total health and well-being for every Sri Lankan. (Newswire)