Stroke, No. Two killer in Lanka

Nadira Gunatilleke

Stroke is the number Two cause for deaths in Sri Lanka, while the number one reason is heart attacks, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said around 80 percent of the patients admitted to hospitals after a stroke are males. Only 20 percent are females. Around 50 percent out of the 80 percent male victims are heavy smokers and alcoholics, the spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, 10 percent of stroke patients die while another 10 percent become paralysed.

Around 30 percent of patients can be completely cured while 50 percent can be cured with certain disabilities. But they can be cured up to a level that they can carry out their daily routines on their own, he said.

Many patients who suffer from strokes die before seeking medical treatment and some do not seek medical treatment because they believe in other remedies such as traditional treatment. Due to this situation, the State health authorities are unable to record the exact number of annual stroke patient figures and other related statistics, he said.

The Ministry is focussing on setting up special units at two State hospitals in each district to treat patients suffer from strokes.

A project will be launched to establish these units. High blood pressure, high cholesterol level in blood, stress, diabetes, eating too much salty and oily food, lack of exercise are some of the main reasons causing strokes, he added.