Secretariat of Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology shifts to Sri Lanka with Dr. Ha

AOFOG Secretary-General Dr. Rohana Haththotuwa (2nd from right) addressing a meeting while (from left): Prof. Deepal Weerasekara, Prof. Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, Prof. Wilfred Perera and Dr. Sanath Lanerolle look on

Secretariat of the Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) was opened by Prof. Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran Past President of FIGO (The World Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology), at the headquarters of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Borella.

The AOFOG comprises of the obstetrics and gynaecology societies of 28 countries in Asia and Oceania including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. Formed in 1957 as Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with the joining of Australia and New Zealand became AOFOG in 1979, the objectives of the AOFOG are to: Promote the science and art of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive biology; promote total health care in females throughout life; promote intrauterine and neonatal well-being; promote international cooperation and goodwill particularly in Asia and Oceania. 

Sri Lanka has been a member of the AOFOG since 1980s and AOFOG has assisted Sri Lanka in reducing maternal mortality and improving women’s health through educational and training workshops, seminars and conferences. AOFOG has also contributed to improve and update the knowledge and skills of the doctors to keep up with the new developments.

Dr. Rohana Haththotuwa was elected unanimously by the Executive Council of the AOFOG to the prestigious post of Secretary General at the recently concluded meeting in Hong Kong. Dr. Haththotuwa is the third Secretary General of the AOFOG succeeding Late Prof. S.S. Ratnam, who was also a Sri Lankan graduate, who held the post till 2000 and Prof. W.W. Sumpaico from Philippines who held the post from then till 2017. With Dr. Haththotuwa becoming the Secretary General of AOFOG it was decided by the council to shift the Secretariat to Sri Lanka.

Dr. Haththotuwa is a past president of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and is also the Vice President of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the South Asian Federation of Menopause Societies. He is a pioneer in the use of assisted reproductive technology for treatment of infertility in Sri Lanka. Dr. Haththotuwa is currently the Chairman of Ninewells Care Mother and Baby Hospital which he started with Mrs. Haththotuwa after prematurely retiring from the Colombo Medical Faculty.