Sri Lanka, Nov. 11 -- Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa was unanimously elected Chair of the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Meeting, which commenced in Colombo today (11).

Health sector representatives from all 7 member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation were brought together at the meeting held in Colombo.

Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand represent the participating countries.

Strengthening regional cooperation in the health sector forms the primary aim of the meeting, with discussions focusing on public health security, disease prevention, emergency preparedness and response, and the sharing of technical expertise and knowledge among m...