Spread of non communicable diseases on the rise - Health Minister

COLOMBO: As far as the health sector is concerned the world trend now was changing from communicable diseases to non communicable diseases thus showing an upward trend in the spread of non communicable diseases such as diabetes, HIV Aids, cancer and Kidney problems said the Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The Minister was the chief guest at the HIV AIDS workshop held for the Heads and members of the Local Government Institutions in the Kalutara District Chairmen of town councils, Urban Councils and Pradesheeya Sabhas in the Kalutara District participated at this awareness workshop organised by the HIV AIDS control program of the Health Ministry.

The Minister said that even the United Nations Organisation had attached the highest priority to the commitment by the political leadership of its member countries to wipe out non communicable diseases. That was why the UN organised a special General Assembly of all Heads of Government on AIDS at regular intervals.

When the AIDS epidemic first broke out in the African countries they ignored the call by the World Health Organization to take serious measures to curb it.

Later at the WHO assembly in 1998, the African leaders came and asked for money to purchase coffin as there were more than 200 to 300 deaths reported from each and every village in those countries each month.

The Minister said that HIV is in low prevalence in Sri Lanka now but we should not get complacent as it would end up as an epidemic.

"We should be ashamed to talk only about corruption and abuse and not about this disease. People should be encouraged to face up to realities.

For this the role played by their elected members is very important. The commitment and dedication of the political leaders is vital to eradicate this type of non communicable diseases," said the Minister.

He said that Stigma and discrimination are the main barriers that stand in the way to HIV prevention.

The behavioral pattern of the people should be changed, Minister Siripala de Silva called upon every politician to play a pivotal role in this endeavour so that Sri Lanka could be saved from any out break of AIDS.