[Strengthening PHC Leadership Course Sri Lanka, In-Country Workshop 2025 Dec 1~5]

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), successfully conducted the in-person workshop component of the Sri Lanka PHC Leadership Course in Colombo from 1–5 December. This in-person training formed the core of a three-step blended learning programme—comprising online pre-course learning, an intensive face-to-face course, and post-course implementation support—jointly delivered by the Ministry of Health, WHO and KOFIH.

The full Sri Lanka PHC Leadership Course began on 17 November with an online pre-course module (two week) delivered through the WHO Academy platform. During this phase, participants were introduced to key concepts in people-centered, integrated primary health care (PHC) and leadership, building a common foundation before the in-person training.

[Strengthening PHC Leadership Sri Lanka Online Orientation 2025 Nov 17]

The opening session of the in-country workshop set the tone for a week of rich discussion and collaboration. Dr. Kumarawansa, Director of PHC, delivered the welcoming remarks, highlighting the critical role of strong PHC leadership in achieving universal health coverage in Sri Lanka. Dr. Il Soo Ha, President of KOFIH, offered congratulatory remarks and reaffirmed KOFIH’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in strengthening its PHC systems. Dr. Shams Syed, Head of Policy and Partnerships for PHC of WHO, emphasized the importance of people-centered, integrated PHC and the critical role of partnerships in accelerating progress.

The implementation project component of the course—designed to translate learning into action—was led by KOFIH in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Through this component, participants developed concrete action plans tailored to their regional priorities, focusing on strengthening PHC governance, improving service delivery, and enhancing community engagement. In addition, special lectures in Module 7 on strategic purchasing (delivered by Professor Soonman Kwon, Seoul National University) and Module 8 on digital health–enabled chronic disease management in primary care (delivered by Professor Jae Heon Kang, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital) shared Korea’s experience and explored how these approaches could be adapted to the Sri Lankan context.

Over the five days, participants engaged in interactive lectures, group work, and peer learning sessions. They shared experiences from their respective regions, discussed practical solutions to common challenges, and identified opportunities for collaboration beyond the course.

The programme will conclude after three months, when participants’ implementation project plans and field application of learning are reviewed and monitored as a requirement for final completion of the course.