Sri Lanka and Russia forge stronger ties in healthcare cooperation

Saturday, 17 May 2025 00:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A cordial meeting was held between Russian Federation State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Oleg Salagai, and Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera at the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation to explore new opportunities for collaboration in the healthcare sector.

The discussions centred on establishing possible partnerships between the institutions of Russian Federation and Sri Lanka in the healthcare sector, high level visits , initiatives for knowledge sharing programs in areas such as healthcare digitalisation and the management of tropical diseases. Ambassador Gunasekera emphasised the enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and Russia, highlighting the growing number of Sri Lankan medical students studying in Russia and the successful supply of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the increasing global demand for pharmaceutical products, Ambassador Gunasekera requested the Deputy Minister to consider establishing manufacturing partnerships with Sri Lanka. Such collaborations would not only boost production capacity but also enhance supply chain resilience, she added. Additionally, she proposed the creation of joint degree courses and industrial training programs to elevate technical skills and foster innovation in drug manufacturing. Education on Sri Lanka’s indigenous medicine, “Hela Wedakama,” was also discussed as a potential area for collaboration.

In response, the Deputy Minister assured Russia’s commitment to facilitate joint venture operations in the healthcare sector and to work on technology transfer and knowledge exchange in collaboration with other related institutions under the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation. He also agreed to review the number of scholarships available for Sri Lankan medical students through the Russian Government.

Both sides agreed to take decisive steps to bring these initiatives to realisation in the near future, reinforcing the strong ties between Sri Lanka and Russia in the healthcare sector.

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