'Alarming increase in NCDs among schoolchildren'
Jayantha DE SILVA
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Dr. Padmashanti and Deputy Indigenous Medicine Minister Panduka
Bandaranayake at the Ayurveda exhibition.
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An alarming increase in Non Communicable Diseases viz. high blood
pressure, arthritis and cholesterol, has been detected among school
children, an expert warned.
CMC Ayurveda Department Chief Medical Officer Dr.Padma Shanthi
revealed that over 80 percent of schoolchildren treated at 20
dispensaries in the city have Non Communicable Diseases, which she
attributed to amongst others, environmental pollution, stress and
consumption of fast foods.
"Apart from that migration of the population to urban areas has
caused a host of stress related problems chiefly due to the inability of
the migrant population to adapt to urban life styles, "she explained.
"As an interim measure to overcome the issue, CMC medical teams
comprising two physicians, pharmacists and a nurse are to visit shanty
gardens and flats to identify those needing treatment and refer them to
appropriate dispensaries with specialized facilities.
A team of six Ayurveda physicians in February visited India to train
in Panchakarma sponsored by the India - Sri Lanka Foundation. On their
return an exhibition was held at the BMICH.
"Three Indian physicians and a local professor had collaborated to
upgrade and expand the range of products at the CMC Ayurveda drugs
manufacturing facility where between Rs.6 -7 million medicinal products
are manufactured annually, "she said.
The products are to be sold to the nine Provincial Councils',
Ayurveda treatment hospitals and dispensaries. |
