19 October 2021
WHO has developed a position paper on “Building health systems resilience towards UHC and health security during COVID-19 and beyond”. A high-level virtual event to launch the position paper was organized on 19 October 2021. WHO calls for renewed and heightened national and global commitment to building resilient health systems through integration of universal health coverage and health security efforts by:
- investing in primary health care and essential public health functions while addressing gaps in health systems foundations
- strengthening preparedness of countries to tackle all forms of public health threats
- ensuring whole-of-government and whole-of-society engagement to position health as central to socioeconomic growth and resilience.
The Hon. Minister of Health, Dr Keheliya Rambukwella was invited to represent the South East Asia Region and joined a prestigious panel of health ministers from other WHO Regions. The Minister discussed the lessons learned in Sri Lanka from the COVID-19 pandemic that can help health systems increase their resilience to maintain essential services while supporting effective emergency response.
Dr Rambukwella mentioned that Sri Lanka’s health system has adapted the PHC approach since 1926 and was a case study for the Alma Ata Declaration 1978. Sri Lanka’s PHC foundation has been a key contributor to health sector resilience and notable successes in health which can compare to developed countries. The Hon. Minister highlighted how Sri Lanka’s accelerated vaccination programme was possible with the strong PHC system with well-functioning routine immunization program.
He also noted the potential of innovations in electronic and digital health such as the vaccine tracker for service delivery going forward. He added that the country has adapted to overcome challenges, including by implementing a home care management system for people with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic, with WHO and Sri Lanka Medical Association support.
The Hon. Minister ended by acknowledging that COVID-19 has tested the limits of health systems around the world, stating that now, more than ever, a unified and coordinated country response is crucial. This is a key principle of the primary health care approach and with such a coordinated response, the country can revive the economy as well as restore essential health services.
Hon. Minister Dr Keheliya Rambukwella’s full speech