High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama Meets East London NHS Trust Delegation to discuss Mental Health Care Improvements in Sri Lanka
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the UK, His Excellency Rohitha Bogollagama, met with representatives from the East London NHS Trust on 10th July, 2024 to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health care in Sri Lanka, particularly focusing on the training of nurses. The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Roshan Jayalath, a British Sri Lankan doctor practising as Strategic Clinical Lead for Mental Health & Learning Disability and a GP Partner in Bedfordshire, UK.
During the meeting, the East London NHS Trust highlighted their ongoing commitment to supporting the healthcare sector in Sri Lanka. Notably, they have already implemented some projects in 2022 during Sri Lanka’s economic challenges, with a significant focus on the National Institute of Mental Health in Angoda and other similar programmes with the University of Ruhuna.
High Commissioner Bogollagama praised the robust nature of Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, which offers free healthcare to all citizens. However, he acknowledged that mental healthcare requires further development due to persistent stigma surrounding the issue. High Commissioner Bogollagama suggested that UK medical students could undertake electives in Sri Lanka. This would provide them with valuable exposure to a variety of tropical diseases, enriching their medical experience and training. This exchange would also serve to strengthen the medical ties between the UK and Sri Lanka.
The East London NHS Trust indicated their willingness to include Sri Lanka in their Global Health Partnership programme. Through supporting the development of cost-effective and culturally appropriate solutions to priority health issues especially, mental health by supporting and strengthening the existing health systems and improving the understanding, engagement and health outcomes of the respective communities through a long-term programme of Capacity Building.
Additionally, both sides discussed the importance of enhancing English language training for nurses and other allied health professionals in Sri Lanka. The East London NHS Trust emphasized that improved English proficiency would facilitate better communication and integration in global medical contexts, a point strongly endorsed by High Commissioner Bogollagama.
Further, the improvements which are needed on international recruitments of Sri Lankan nurses following global health teaching methods and exchanging two- way medical and health related delegations involved by the East London NHS Trust between Sri Lanka and the UK etc, were also discussed.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue collaborating on these crucial healthcare initiatives, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, particularly its mental health sector, receives the support and development it needs. It is hence agreed to continued dialogue and the number of actions including the East London NHS Trust will submit a proposal paper to the High Commission soon as the way ahead of the discussion.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
London
16 July 2024
