High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama co-chaired a Roundtable Discussion with Medical Professionals in London
A Roundtable Discussion with medical professionals in the UK was convened at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London on 20th March 2024. The roundtable was co-chaired by His Excellency Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK and Professor -Vidya Jyothi (Dr.) Vajira Dissanayake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Colombo University. The objective of the discussion was to explore opportunities for collaboration between the medical and healthcare sectors of Sri Lanka and the UK.
Recognizing their valuable contribution to the contemporary human society, High Commissioner Bogollagama in his opening remarks reiterated the requirement of strong collaboration between medical professionals of both countries in a wider spectrum, including sharing of knowledge and best practices, research collaboration and exchange of experiences. High Commissioner Bogollagama expressed confidence that such a continued partnership would benefit the medical and healthcare sectors of both countries.
Following the remarks by Professor Vidya Jyothi Dissanayaka and Professor Roger Kirby, President of the Royal Society of Medicines of the UK, the floor was opened for discussions, shedding light on respective and possible areas of cooperation and collaboration, in relation to their institutions and expertise. The attendees exchanged their expertise and experiences on different areas of concern including application of medical statistics and data sharing, medical-AI and progressive development of extensions of medical sciences such as genealogy, training and exchanging electives, pharmaceutical related exchanges and related investments. Discussion also focused on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, as well as the significance of early detecting to avoid their harmful effects on human life and society. The importance of exchange of accurate data and statistics was also emphasized.
Participants agreed that the roundtable was the initial step towards increased collaboration and cooperation in medicine and healthcare between London and Colombo and that it would pave the way for further tangible initiatives in the near future.
The roundtable was attended by senior and prominent medical professionals from both countries, including Professor Kirby, Prof Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran- Past President of the British Medical Association, Prof Suranjith Seneviratne- Vice President of Sri Lanka Medical and Dental Association in the UK, Dr Jawaharlal Senaratne- Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon of the Royal College of Surgeons Tutor at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Prof Sam Lingam- Consultant Pediatric Neurologist and the Founder and Past President of the Commonwealth Association for Health and Disability, Prof Dhavendra Kumar- Medical Director/CEO of the Genomic Medicine Foundation (UK), Mr Raymond Anderson- President of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, Dr Joanna Nurse- Health Advisor to the Interaction Council and the Director Health Systems of the Southampton Hub of the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health, Dr Chamika Senanayake- Specialist in Health Informatics and the Commonwealth Digital Health Fellow of the Southampton Hub of the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health, Mr. Nigel Mendoza- Consultant Neurosurgeon and the Honorary Lecturer in Neurosciences of Imperial College, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim- Consultant Neurosurgeon of Imperial College Healthcare Trust and the honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London, Dr. Yanushi Dullewe Wijeyeratne- Cardiologist and NHR Clinical Lecturer in Cardiology at St Georgey’s University in London and Mr. Ken Bluestone- Director of Common Age- Policy Lead at Age International.
Roundtable was followed by a networking reception during which participating medical professionals shared their practical ideas and views on improving collaboration in the areas of mutual interests.
High Commission of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom
London
21 March 2024
