Poison, seventh killer in Lanka
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
Poisoning is the seventh top cause for deaths in Sri Lanka. In 2008
there were 63,742 cases of poisoning and 1,247 deaths.
Around 70 percent of those poisoning was caused by drugs and other
chemicals. Poisoning cause due to lack of knowledge and ignorance. This
was revealed during a seminar at the Health Education Bureau recently.
According to latest statistics issued during the seminar around 30
percent of the poisoning cases reported in 2008 were due to
insecticides. Fifty eight persons out of the total number had died due
to snake bites. According to the findings, the majority of the victims
of poisoning are children and youth.
Children get poisoned due to the negligence of parents. Careless use
of insecticides and excessive use of drugs cause most of the poisonings
in rural areas.
The National Week on 'Poisoning Prevention' organised by the Health
Ministry is being held from May 17 to 23 under the theme 'Let us take
precautionary measures to prevent poisoning at home and in the community
caused by ignorance. |