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Dr. Abeykoon: WHO special envoy to coordinate global COVID response
View(s):A senior Sri Lankan health expert is among seven Special Envoys handpicked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Head to coordinate the global response to COVID-19.
Dr. Palitha Abeykoon was chosen this week by WHO Director-General (DG) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for the South East Asia Region and will work in close collaboration with the DG’s Office, the WHO Regional Directors and the country offices.
Dr. Abeykoon, when contacted by the Sunday Times, confirmed the appointment.
Dr. Abeykoon is a senior physician and public health professional who has served as a Health Ministry senior advisor. He also chaired the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol and serves on the National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases. He is also a member of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) of Sri Lanka.