Sri Lanka has received a special official certificate of recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) for two significant and historic achievements in the country’s public health sector.
The certificate was presented to Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa during the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, currently being held in Dili, Timor-Leste.
The certificate, signed by Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, was presented by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Sri Lanka was recognized for maintaining its status as a malaria-free country for 10 consecutive years and for sustaining the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for a decade.
The WHO officially certified Sri Lanka as malaria-free in 2016. Since then, the country has successfully prevented the re-establishment and spread of malaria for 10 years.
Sri Lanka became the second country in the WHO South-East Asia Region, after the Maldives, to achieve malaria elimination.
The country has also successfully eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus and maintained this achievement for 10 years. Tetanus immunization programmes for pregnant women continue to be implemented nationwide at a high level.
According to the WHO, Sri Lanka’s strong and resilient primary healthcare system, sustained national commitment, high immunization coverage, and effective disease surveillance and control systems have played a key role in achieving and maintaining these public health milestones.
The WHO noted that these achievements go beyond health milestones, contributing to protecting the lives of Sri Lankan people and creating a healthier future for the country.
