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Stand with science: What I've learned about health beyond hospitals
By Dr. Dayanath Ranatunga On this World Health Day (7 April), we are reminded of a simple yet powerful truth: health is not static, and neither are the challenges we face. This year’s theme, ‘Together for Health. Stand with Science’ calls on us not just to trust science, but to actively use it to navigate an increasingly complex world. When we think of ‘science’ we must look beyond laboratories, medical equipment and textbooks. In health, science is not confined to medicine alone. It is a way of thinking, a method of understanding, and a tool for making better decisions in our everyday lives. Science is not only for policymakers, but it shapes the decisions we all make every day. Today’s health challenges are complex and interconnected, no longer predictable. From infectious diseases like COVID-19, to climate-related risks such as extreme heat, and from shifting population dynamics, including increased migration, to new forms of online violence, our responses must evolve with these changing health needs. For instance, take maternal and newborn health. In many countries, including Sri Lanka, declining fertility rates and improved survival mean that every pregnancy carries even greater significance. Each mother and each newborn represent not just a life, but the future of families, communities, and economies. Yet, globally, maternal mortality remains a pressing challenge. In 2023 alone, an estimated 260,000 women died from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes, equivalent to 712 deaths each day, many of which are preventable with timely, science-based interventions (UNFPA et al., 2023). This reality demands more precise, data-driven approaches to care, ensuring that services are accessible, timely, and of the highest quality. Similarly, the nature of gender-based violence (GBV) is evolving. While physical violence remains a critical concern, new forms, such as Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV), cyber harassment, and online abuse are emerging rapidly. These forms of violence may not leave visible scars, yet their mental and psychosocial impact can be profound and long-lasting, which may lead to chronic depression and even suicides. A purely traditional response is no longer sufficient. To effectively respond to the evolving trends of violence, we need multidisciplinary approaches informed by science that integrate mental health, digital safety and survivor-centered care. At the same time, we are witnessing a significant demographi...
World Health Day 2026: UNFPA Highlights Role of Science in Addressing ...
UNFPA highlights the importance of science, data and innovation in addressing global health challenges including maternal health, gender-based violence, climate change and NCDs. On this World Health Day (7 April), we are reminded of a simple yet powerful truth: health is not static, and neither are the challenges we face. This year's theme is Together for Health. Stand with Science’ calls on us not just to trust science, but to actively use it to navigate an increasingly complex world. When we think ofscience we must look beyond laboratories, medical equipment and textbooks. In health, science is not confined to medicine alone. It is a way of thinking, a method of understanding, and a tool for making better decisions in our everyday lives. Science is not only for policymakers, but it shapes the decisions we all make every day. Today’s health challenges are complex and interconnected, no longer predictable. From infectious diseases like COVID-19, to climate-related risks such as extreme heat, and from shifting population dynamics, including increased migration, to new forms of online violence, our responses must evolve with these changing health needs. For instance, take maternal and newborn health. In many countries, including Sri Lanka, declining fertility rates and improved survival mean that every pregnancy carries even greater significance. Each mother and each newborn represent not just a life, but the future of families, communities, and economies. Yet, globally, maternal mortality remains a pressing challenge. In 2023 alone, an estimated 260,000 women died from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes, equivalent to 712 deaths each day, many of which are preventable with timely, science-based interventions (UNFPA et al., 2023). This reality demands more precise, data-driven approaches to care, ensuring that services are accessible, timely, and of the highest quality. Similarly, the nature of gender-based violence (GBV) is evolving. While physical violence remains a critical concern, new forms, such as Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV), cyber harassment, and online abuse are emerging rapidly. These forms of violence may not leave visible scars, yet their mental and psychosocial impact can be profound and long-lasting, which may lead to chronic depression and even suicides. A purely traditional response is no longer sufficient. To effectively respond to the evolving trends of violence, we need multidisciplinary approaches informed b...
Sri Lanka to promote digital medical service in 21 cooperative-owned ...
COLOMBO, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will digitize the services in 21 cooperative-owned hospitals as part of a broader plan to modernize the country's healthcare system, according to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information on Saturday.
Science-driven health policies key to tackling emerging challenges — UNFPA
Marking World Health Day on April 7, health experts have called for a stronger commitment to science-based decision-making to address increasingly complex and evolving health challenges in Sri Lanka and beyond. Dr. Dayanath Ranatunga, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, stressed that health is no longer confined to hospitals or traditional medical systems, […]
