Ceylon College of Physicians strengthens ties with London
View(s):With a top representative of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), London, being invited to speak at the 47th Annual Academic Sessions of the Ceylon College of Physicians (CCP) this week, the strong bonds between these two prestigious institutions has been further strengthened.
While the RCP’s Associate International Director for South Asia, Dr. Fraz Mir, did the honours at the academic sessions held from October 5 to 8 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, the RCP also held a meeting for all Sri Lankan members and fellows on the first day of the conference.
At this meeting, RCP representatives were on hand to answer queries about the RCP’s Medical Training Initiative (MTI) which enables international medical graduates to work and train in the United Kingdom (UK) for two years. Around half of all MTI doctors training in the UK are Sri Lankan.
The CCP has a long-standing partnership with the RCP, the oldest medical college in England and CCP President Dr. Kirthi Gunasekera states that it is very positive and beneficial.
“The mutual trust and relationship between the CCP and the RCP has strengthened over the years and it is indeed heartening to note that this bond has been of great benefit to the medical fraternity of both countries. The visit of RCP President Prof. Jane Dacre to Sri Lanka in July this year was a great opportunity to discuss possible areas of development pertaining to medical postgraduate education and training,” he added.
History was made in September 2013 when the first-ever RCP fellowship ceremony outside the UK was held at ‘Westminster House’, the residence of British High Commissioner, John Rankin, in Colombo. Five leading Sri Lanka Physicians were awarded fellowships at this ceremony.