Sri Lankan Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Dr Rajitha Senaratne will visit Doha in October. The two-day visit is aimed at seeking opportunities for collaboration with Qatar’s health sector, said Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar, Prof (Dr) W M Karunadasa.

Sri Lanka is also looking forward to build on existing partnerships with Qatar in areas such as trade and investment and oil and gas sector.

“The health sector is very advanced in Qatar from which Sri Lanka can benefit. The minister’s visit will mark a beginning in exploring opportunities for cooperation in this field,” Prof Karunadasa told The Peninsula.

Qatar and Sri Lanka have signed several agreements including in the fields of sports, youth affairs and media. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for strengthening cooperation in sports will focus on the development of sports for people with special needs and sports facilities.

Sri Lanka offers free healthcare to its citizens, which has been a national priority.

The country scores higher than average in healthcare with high life expectancy and a lower number of maternal and infant deaths compared to its neighbours.

The island nation is known for having one of the world’s earliest known healthcare systems.

Sri Lanka’s health indicators are comparable to more developed countries in the region.

(The Peninsula)