'SL's health sector attains highest position in region'

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Sri Lanka has attained the highest position in the health sector in the region due to the success of the national health process, said Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake.

Participating in the launching ceremony of the National Nutrition Month held yesterday at the Health Education Bureau, Minister Dissanayake said Sri Lanka succeeded in reducing maternal and infant mortality. "According to recent statistics, Nuwara Eliya has the highest rate of malnutrition in the country. Malnutrition is a very common problem in the estate community." the minister said.

UNICEF Country Representative Reza Hossaini said he is puzzled to see why some Sri Lankans suffer from malnutrition when the country is rich with a variety of foods. He attributed the main reason for this to dietary disorders.

Health Ministry Additional Secretary Palitha Maheepala said the government has numerous measures to address the nutrition problem in the country. The National Nutrition Policy was introduced in 2010.

The National Nutrition Council was also established as the government has recognized it is necessary that the political leadership should address this problem.