The World Health Day 2019 event was organised by The Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine and the World Health Organization and was held on Sunday April 7, at the Arcade of Independence Square, Colombo 7 from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The celebration was based on this year’s theme “Universal Health Coverage” focusing on primary health care.

FPA Sri Lanka was invited to conduct a stall at this event and shared the space with WHO Sri Lanka’s ‘She Decides’ campaign representatives.  

Whilst increasing visibility of the products and services rendered by FPA Sri Lanka to the community, the stall managed by the Sales and Marketing Programme (SMP ) served as an awareness platform, through which those who visited the stall had the opportunity of obtaining information on family planning, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Members of the FPA Sri Lanka Youth Technical Advisory Committee were also present to carry out a survey on the ‘Attitude towards LGBT+ communities in Sri Lanka’. The purpose of this survey is to identify youth perceptions on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning communities (LGBT+).  Data collection will continue throughout April through online mediums. The links to the survey are:

Survey in English https://forms.gle/inmLGQvPHwzt36jf9

Survey in Sinhala https://forms.gle/MYAtgfL2t87bAEwF6

Survey in Tamil https://forms.gle/nF9TfM3LZRS6Trbt9

In honour of this day, FPASL Executive Director, Ms Thushara Agus in her statement said ‘Health is wealth and the greatest of all abundances. We who work in the health space are doing a lot to ensure universal access and coverage to health for all. However, it is the individual decision of each person that will ensure his or her health and well-being throughout life. Let us admit that all of us inherit certain determinants of health or the lack of it, from birth. Yet there is so much one can do to mitigate the effects through adopting a lifestyle that incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, spiritual activity and happiness, to live life to its fullest potential. Isn’t health after all having a healthy mind in a healthy body? Let us celebrate this World Health Day by making small changes in our lifestyles to achieve physical, mental and spiritual well-being’.

To maintain one’s sexual and reproductive health, people need access to accurate information and the safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception method of their choice. They must be informed and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. And when they decide to have children, women must have access to services that can help them have a fit pregnancy, safe delivery and healthy baby.

Every individual has the right to make their own choices about their sexual and reproductive health. FPA Sri Lanka, works toward the goal of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning.

FPA Sri Lanka cares for all women, men, children and young people across Sri Lanka and recognises their right to lead safe and dignified reproductive lives, free from harm and discrimination.  Through our island-wide service delivery points, we help to ensure high quality care is accessible to all; and empower vulnerable people to stand up for their sexual and reproductive rights!