6th Biennial conference of South Asian Federation of Menopause Societies (SAFOMS) and 20th Annual Academic Sessions of Menopause Society of Sri Lanka (MENOSOC) was held in a grand scale at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo on 20th and 21st of November 2021.
Prof. Mary Ann Lumsden, Chief Executive Officer FIGO, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services, Sri Lanka, privileged to be the guest of honour.
SAFOMS – MENOSOC 2021 was commenced with the arrival of the procession and the lightning of traditional oil lamp. Welcome address was delivered by Dr. Sanatha Akmeemana, President of Sri Lanka Menopause Society. He warmly welcomed all the distinguished guests including chief guest Prof. Mary Ann Lumsden, guest of honour Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Dr. Jaideep Malhithra, President SAFOMS, Dr. Narendra Malhothra, Dr. Ambuja Choranur, President of IMS, Dr. Tripura Sundari, Dr. Neelam Agrawal, past president of IMS, Dr. Zinnat Nasreen , General Secretary of Bangladesh Menopause Society and Dr. Aparna Hegde, Consultant Urogynaecologist from India.
The gathering was addressed by outgoing president SAFOMS, Dr. Jaideep Malhothra. During her Speech she pointed out how we were able to emerg stronger and fitter to face all the challenges faced during the past two years. The ceremonial induction of Dr. Rohana Haththotuwa as the new president of SAFOMS was held following the Dr. Malhothra’s speech. Then the gathering was addressed by the new president of SAFOMS, Dr. Rohana Haththotuwa. He recalled that the inaugural conference of SAFOMS was held in Sri Lanka in the year 2010 with the participation of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where late Dr. Beheram Anklasaria, the initiator of SAFOMS, was inducted as the Founder President.
Guest of Honour Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services, mentioned that the contribution of the Menopause Society of Sri Lanka, since its inception in year 2000, to uplift the quality of care of post menopausal women was quite impressive. He promised to provide continuum support from the ministry side in preceding years. Chief Guest Prof. Mary Ann Lumsden, during her speech, highlighted that not everything coming out of the pandemic was bad and the improved virtual communication makes meetings possible and therefore our reach has increased dramatically.
The inauguration ceremony of 6th Biennial Conference of South Asian Federation of Menopause Societies and 20th Annual Academic Sessions of Menopause Society of Sri Lanka was concluded with the vote of thanks presented by Dr. Madura Jayawardane, Secretary of Menopause Society of Sri Lanka.
