Last Updated: November 10, 2026
Last Updated: November 10, 2026
Colombo/New Delhi: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda reached Colombo in Sri Lanka to attend the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting. He was greeted by India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.
“I am looking forward to engaging with BIMSTEC Member nations to strengthen health cooperation in the region, work together on key public health issues and enhance collaborative opportunities in the healthcare sector,” Nadda said.
“Arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to participate in the historic first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting. Looking forward to engaging with my counterparts from BIMSTEC member nations to strengthen regional health cooperation, advance shared public health priorities and foster greater collaboration in healthcare,” tweeted Nadda.
India is keen to work towards creating a healthier, stronger and more prosperous region under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East”.
India Aims to Strengthen Regional Healthcare
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said Nadda’s visit would play a key role in strengthening health cooperation in the region, working together on key public health issues and strengthening partnerships in the healthcare sector.
Nadda has reached Colombo to attend the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting, tweeted the Ministry.
A Senior Officials’ Meeting on Health under BIMSTEC has also begun in Colombo.
Discussions centre around finding ways to work together to address common health issues across the region and share technical expertise, according to Ada Derana news outlet based in Sri Lanka.
Important Public Health Issues
Issues such as preventing and controlling communicable diseases and pandemics, public health emergency preparedness, enhancing disease surveillance and building resilient health systems will be discussed.
Other issues to be addressed will include digital health, medical research, antimicrobial resistance and health issues relating to climate change.
The meeting will also feature discussion on the One Health approach which looks at the strong links between human and animal health and promoting traditional medicine.
The first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting will give member nations the opportunity to discuss common priorities.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected the impeachment effort against him, calling it a political spectacle and...
The Ladakh administration has announced December 4 as the polling date for elections to all eight Autonomous Hill...
The ECI has directed retired government officials working in various capacities to maintain political neutrality during the Model...
India has strongly criticised Chinese vloggers accused of filming poor neighbourhoods in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and falsely presenting them...
Two major pile-ups involving more than 50 vehicles on Bulgaria's Trakia motorway left at least 11 people dead...
Three contract workers died during wastewater tank cleaning at Tata Electronics' Hosur facility after suspected toxic gas exposure....
Aries: The day will be auspicious...