Govt allocates Rs 300 m to combat NCDs

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Health Ministry yesterday launched the year of prevention from Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) under the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

It was held under the patronage of Health Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayathilake.

Dr Jayathilake said the government allocated Rs 300 million to combat NCDs in Sri Lanka.

All measures are in place to make the public aware about NCDs and how to prevent these diseases, he said at a New Year ceremony at the Health Ministry yesterday. “President Mahinda Rajapaksa allocated Rs 125 billion to develop Sri Lanka’s health sector,” Dr Jayathilake said. “This is the largest amount of funds allocated for the development of the health sector through a budget,” he said.

Director General of Health Services Dr Palitha Maheepala, Health Ministry Additional Secretaries Dr Sujatha Senaratne and D M R B Dissanayake and Senior Administrative Officer Somaratne Vidana Pathirana were also present.