US to pledge medical aid, media support to SL

A meeting between the Minister of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Julie J. Chung was held yesterday (July 10) at the Ministry of Health premises.

During the discussion, the US Ambassador agreed to facilitate a portion of essential medicines and surgical equipment to Sri Lanka from American donors.

The 02 sides also held extensive talks on the current status and future development of the country’s free healthcare system, the media industry.

Efforts to combat Dengue and Chikungunya through public awareness campaigns were also taken up.

Minister Jayatissa noted that special programs have already been launched to avoid periodic medicine shortages in state hospitals and that structured inter-governmental discussions are underway to secure essential supplies.

The Minister recalled the past assistance provided by the US government to develop Sri Lanka’s healthcare services.

He further said that work has begun to formulate a new national media policy with inputs from all stakeholders and that steps are being taken to establish an accredited training institution for journalists.

Implementing a training program for Sri Lankan journalists was also discussed.

The US Ambassador has reiterated the United States’ commitment to continue providing financial, technological, knowledge-based, and material support to strengthen the island’s health and mass media sectors.

Officials from the US Embassy and the Ministry of Health were also present at the meeting.