In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), RTSL launched a new competency-based training workshop for national and subnational program managers overseeing NCD and cardiovascular disease programs in Sri Lanka.
The program equips managers with the practical skills needed to effectively lead and strengthen national hypertension control programs. Over five days, from August 11-15, participants worked through ten standardized modules using interactive, “learning by doing” approaches—including practical exercises, guided discussions, role plays, and peer-to-peer learning. Participants also had the opportunity to witness Sri Lanka’s successful implementation of HEARTS strategies during a visit to a local clinic.
So far 22 participants from seven countries have completed the new training workshop and will continue building momentum for stronger hypertension programs around the region—an important step toward scaling up hypertension treatment within primary health care systems and advancing the goal of achieving 50% blood pressure control.
Building on lessons learned from the Colombo workshop, RTSL will adapt and improve the modules before the next training, which is planned for the Philippines in December.