Healthy life clinics in all state hospitals:

NCDs account for 71 percent deaths

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Nearly 950 persons die daily in Sri Lanka due to various reasons and 71 percent of these deaths are due to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and related illnesses, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said the Health Ministry will set up Suwa Sayana (Health life clinics) in all main hospitals to address this issue.

According to the spokesman, the four most common diseases in Sri Lanka are heart ailments, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases.

Annually 29.6 percent die from heart attacks in Sri Lanka. Another 8.5 percent die from respiratory diseases.

Nine percent of the total funds allocated to control NCDs are spent on treating cancer patients. Another 3.6 percent spent on treating diabetes patients, he said.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena granted Rs. 84 million to all provinces to set up Suwa Divi Sayana. Each unit will be equipped with screening and treatment facilities, communication equipment etc. A vehicle will also be provided to each Provincial office. President Mahinda Rajapaksa allocated Rs. 900 million to control NCDs in Sri Lanka. Out of this amount Rs. 600 million has been spent during the first eight months of this year.