A delegation from the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka discussed cooperation opportunities in the fields of pharmaceuticals and personnel training in Vitebsk
Although this is the official's first visit to the northern capital, cooperation has a long history. For about 30 years, VSMU has been training medical personnel for this country. Therefore, visiting this educational institution was an important item on the foreign guests' agenda. They were convinced of the quality of training for their future doctors, the professionalism of the teaching staff, and the living and learning conditions for foreign students at the Belarusian university.
The guests discussed the possibilities for developing the established long-term partnership during an official meeting at the regional executive committee with Yuri Derkach, Head of the Main Department for Healthcare and a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus. The discussion focused, in particular, on organizing postgraduate training for foreign graduates and exchanging teaching staff.
Cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector is the second area that has attracted particular interest from the Sri Lankan healthcare delegation. As Deputy Minister Faizal Cassim reported, their country is currently exploring new countries for medicine suppliers. They currently work with India and Russia but are ready to purchase Belarusian drugs, including those for oncology, produced by SOOO "Nativita" (Beshenkovichi), which are in high demand. The representatives of the Ministry of Health personally familiarized themselves with the high-tech base and research potential of this company and emphasized their interest in cooperation.
Research and development, the creation of joint ventures, or the provision of sites for them are the vectors along which the healthcare sector of the Vitebsk region is also ready to cooperate with colleagues from the South Asian country.
– Sri Lanka is a country with high potential and opportunities. Cooperation in science, education, and healthcare can be beneficial for both republics, – summarized Yuri Derkach.