(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Annual General Election and Annual General Meeting of the General Midwifery Services Association representing Family Health Service Officers from all over Sri Lanka was held on Sunday 3rd November 2024 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Conference Hall.
The special occasion was attended by representatives of all districts, including a significant presence of midwives working in the hills and plantations.
It was announced at the meeting that the association, which prides itself on its independent and non-politicized membership, will officially be named the Midwifery Association ofSri Lanka
Newly elected officers and executive council members were also introduced.
Shyamali Pathirage – a leading figure in the field of maternal and child health, author, social media consultant and respected voice of Sri Lankan mothers – was elected as the role of new president.
Mrs. Pathirage, fondly known as “ApeMiss”, gained fame both locally and internationally for her dedication to family health.
Renuka Jayalath, the former president of the association who was praised for her commitment to the advancement of family health services, was elected as the secretary and Lalita Padmini, recognized among the top family health professionals in the Asia Pacific region, was appointed as the vice president.
The pairing of Ms. Pathirage and Ms. Padmini was noted by participants as a remarkable step forward in family health services in Sri Lanka, positioning the association on a path to greater international recognition.
In her speech, the new Chairperson Mrs. Pathirage emphasized the urgent need for professional recognition and standardization in family health services in Sri Lanka.
“I have seen the dedication of family health workers who have been working tirelessly for our community . Despite their expertise, they lack formal recognition and international certification, limiting their opportunities,” she said, calling for an uplift in standards,Found globally.
Mrs. Pathirage also emphasized the critical need to modernize family health services to meet contemporary global standards, advocating for increased social and institutional acceptance. Reflecting on the disparity of opportunities, she noted,
“Sri Lanka’s family health workers, some of the most talented in the world, continue to face barriers to international employment. We are taking this initiative to ensure that our services receive the respect and status they deserve. Obstacles must be overcome.”
Following the official proceedings, an award ceremony was held to recognize outstanding contributions to the profession. Lalita Padmini was honored for her efforts to elevate Sri Lanka’s family health services to the world level, while Ms. Pathirage was recognized as the nation’s leading media communicator. Renuka Jayalath received a special award for her resilience and service.
