Health Ministry appoints steering committee:

Non-Contagious Diseases claim 300-400 daily

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Between 300 to 400 persons die from Non Contagious Diseases(NCDs) in Sri Lanka daily.

The Health Ministry has appointed a National Steering Committee to make sure that the National Policy on NCDs is implemented properly, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

There are 20 members in this committee including Health Ministry Secretary Dr Ravindra Ruberu, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr Firdosi Rustom Mehta, Health Ministry NCD Unit Director, professors attached to the Colombo University Community Health Department and scholars.

The main objective of the Committee is minimizing the deaths that occur due to NCDs within the decade of 2010 to 2020. The committee will also advise the Health Minister and Health Ministry officials on the topic.

It will also organize awareness raising programs on NCDs countrywide. There is a rapid increase in NCDs all over the world including Sri Lanka, he said.

NCDs such as diabetes, heart aliments, high blood pressure, strokes, cancer, blindness and many other diseases are on the rise all over the world.

Negative changes in the lifestyles of the people, bad food habits, stress and urbanization are some of the main reasons that stand behind this situation, he added.