The centenary celebration of Sri Lanka’s Public Health Service was held this morning (July 21) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Sri Lanka’s Public Health Service began with the establishment of the Kalutara National Health Unit in 1926 as the first field health unit in the South Asian region. Today, the Public Health Service has developed into an extensive network comprising more than 362 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions, with public health teams forming the backbone of the service.
Field officers, including Medical Officers of Health (MOHs), Public Health Midwives (PHMs) and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), play a significant role within these teams. By establishing direct links with communities and earning public trust, they contribute towards transformative change in the healthcare system.
At the commemorative event, organised by the
