Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, and cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne recently reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to preserving universal health coverage.

Addressing the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, he stated that the government is ready to reform the healthcare delivery system to further improve access and coverage for noncommunicable diseases, injuries, mental health and emerging communicable diseases, among other health needs.

Senaratne revealed that a traffic light rating system would be introduced for food containing salt and trans fats as has been implemented for sweetened beverages.

He pointed to human resources in the health sector as a critical factor for Sri Lanka’s progress, noting the need for an in-depth study to identify the skills and number of staff required in different disciplines to achieve the government’s strengthening of primary care.