Colombo: The World Health Organization (WHO) is gearing up to commence the 79th session of its Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Dili, Timor-Leste. The session, scheduled from September 7 to 10, 2026, will be attended by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with health ministers and senior health officials from Member States, senior WHO officials, and other delegates.
According to News.LK, Sri Lanka’s delegation, led by Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, is set to depart for the session today, September 6. The delegation includes notable figures such as Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary and consultant physician Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Deputy Director-General of Health Services (Planning) Dr. S. Sridharan, Deputy Director-General of Health Services (Public Health Services) Dr. S. M. Arnold, Senior Professor of Genetics and Biomedical Informatics Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, and Health Ministry Director (Planning) Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana.
The session is of particular importance to Sri Lanka, with Dr. Jayatissa continuing as Chairperson of the Committee until a successor is elected. The Committee will elect new office-bearers and conduct governance business starting September 7.
Key topics for this year’s session include enhancing the health workforce to ensure equitable access to specialised care. Delegates will deliberate on regional health priorities and future actions such as workforce development, universal health coverage, digital health, and artificial intelligence. Discussions will also focus on strengthening health facilities’ resilience, advancing disease elimination, and accelerating efforts to combat tuberculosis.
The session aims to adopt the Dili Declaration on equitable access to specialised care. As part of the session, Sri Lanka’s delegation will share insights on strengthening its healthcare services and promoting regional health cooperation.
Dr. Jayatissa is set for bilateral discussions with health ministers and senior representatives from various countries. On September 7, he will meet with Maldivian Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali, Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, and Bangladeshi Minister of Health and Family Welfare Sardar M. Sakhawat Hossain. Further discussions on September 8 will involve Bhutanese Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk and a delegation led by Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Qatar for State Affairs.
Additional meetings will include discussions with Indonesian Health Minister Budi G. Sadikin and David Jordens, Belgium’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste. Dr. Jayatissa will also engage in a separate discussion with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Regional Committee’s session serves as an important platform for cooperation among the WHO South-East Asia Region’s 10 Member States, focusing on making health systems more equitable, accessible, and resilient.