NCDs cause 70 pc of deaths

Out of a daily total of 950 to 1,000 deaths reported from hospitals countrywide, 70 percent are caused by non-communicable diseases. As such, non-communicable diseases have become an acute problem, said Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr Palitha Maheepala.

Dr Maheepala was speaking at a discussion at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo on June 8 to seek multi-unit co-operation towards the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

The meeting was attended by representatives of 11 ministries and several civil and non-governmental organisations. Dr Maheepala said the meeting was convened in keeping with a directive issued by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to launch a multi-pronged campaign to prevent and control the high incidents of non-communicable diseases through a public awareness programme.

Dr Maheepala said a majority of deaths reported from hospitals are due to heart problems, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases while smoking, unhealthy food habits, lack of physical exercise and consumption of liquor were the main contributory factors towards the high incidence of non-communicable diseases.

Dr Maheepala said nearly 90 percent of the Bhikkhu population were suffering from diabetes. A large number of deaths among Bhikkhus was caused by heart problems.

This is mainly because devotees go for food with high sugar, oil and salt when offering dana to Bhikkhus. Dr Maheepala said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has requested the Maha Sangha and school principals to help take the message of non-communicable disease prevention to the people.