Exchange of experience between Sri Lanka and Saint Petersburg healthcare workers

In the midst of the most serious challenge to public health systems and economies we have faced in in this century, medical doctors and healthcare workers are united in their efforts to find a solution to the crisis. 

While the borders are closed and people are encouraged to stay in their homes, scientists, medical doctors, and healthcare workers are, on the contrary, building more links with their colleagues, expanding the geography of their contacts with the help of modern technologies. The virus has crossed all borders, and our solidarity and cooperation has to do the same to control it.

With the assistance of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia, Saint Petersburg Government, and Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship society, a round table discussion was held on 21 December to exchange experience on treatment of tropical diseases and emergency medicine. 

Sri Lanka was represented by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sunil de Alwis, Chief Epidemiologist of the country Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Consultant Physician of the National hospital for infectious diseases Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa and other Embassy officials.

Arbie Abubakarov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg, Artem Yegorkin, Advisor to the Public Health Committee of Saint Petersburg, Anna Boykova, Chairperson of the Saint Petersburg branch of Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society and Alexander Chudok, Director of Rubin group were representing the Russian side.

During the round table, both sides spoke on the current situation with the COVID-19 infection and measures taken to control it in both countries. The Ambassador stressed that the cooperation between Saint Petersburg and Sri Lanka has progressed a lot recently, but more could be done for institutional and academic cooperation. Also, everyone is now looking with hope towards the vaccines developed in Russia.

Sri Lankan presentation contained information about tropical and other infectious diseases in the country, as well as the history and current status of Covid-19 infection in the country. The Russian side specifically mentioned the need to develop the guidelines for the Russian tourists about dengue disease and how to avoid it. 

The matters of business and cultural cooperation were also touched upon. Sri Lankan participants stressed the fact that many medical doctors received their education in former USSR, including Additional Secretary Dr. Sunil de Alwis, and they were happy to announce that the first tourists to arrive on the island after the opening of the borders would be from Russia. The cooperation is to continue.