National Nutrition Promotion Programme at Deyata Kirula

Nadira Gunatilleke

The National Nutrition Secretariat (NNS) will launch a National Nutrition Promotion Programme with a multi - sectoral approach at the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition from March 23 to 29 with several state and private sector partners.

The main objective of the programme is addressing all issues related to nutrition in Sri Lanka, National Nutrition Secretariat Coordinator Dr. Lalith Chandradasa told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday.

According to Dr. Chandradasa, the main issue related to the low nutrition level of the Sri Lankan population is the lack of a multi sectoral approach. Sri Lanka’s health indicators such as maternal and infant mortality rates, life expectancy etc are among the best in the region but our nutrition status is low.

Rates are high when it comes to underweight children under five years of age etc. Inaccurate and fabricated health information promoted through advertising is one of the main reasons for this situation.

Dr. Chandradasa pointed out that Sri Lanka’s health problems are not centred on one or two issues. It is connected to three main factors and they are health, food security and caring practices.

The National Nutrition Council was established by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the National Action Plan will be launched by the President soon after Cabinet approval is received. It will take around one month. The NNS will open a stall next to the stall of the Presidential Secretariat at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition.

“The stall and its programmes are aimed at building a healthy and strong population in order to have a healthy population in Sri Lanka in the future.

Wrong nutrition habits harm the entire population. It promotes malnutrition, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and creates a mentally and physically weak population. One person or institution cannot build a mentally and physically strong population. Over sixteen ministries, other state institutions and private institutions will get together to carry out the seven day program at Deyata Kirula exhibition,’ Dr. Chandradasa said.

“There are seven different themes for the programmes to be held on seven days. One of the highlights of the programme is an exercise programme to be telecast and broadcast live from 7.15 am to 7.30 am aimed at making school children active.

President Rajapaksa instructed to continue this exercise programme after end of the Deyata Kirula exhibition. Lack of exercise is one of the major reasons for developing NCDs in children and adults.

Special attention should be paid in the first 1,000 days of human life to create stable foundation to build a healthy, strong and brainy human beings,” he added.