Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for around 80% of all deaths in Sri Lanka, with high blood pressure and diabetes among the leading conditions, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.
He made the remarks yesterday (16) while attending the commencement of construction of a modern Cardiac Care Complex at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Jasinghe said high blood pressure and diabetes are closely interconnected and can lead to serious health complications, with myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, being among the most severe.
According to him, only around 50% of people with high blood pressure in Sri Lanka have their condition effectively controlled, while the figure is around 25% among diabetic patients.
“This has now become a major problem in society,” Dr. Jasinghe said, highlighting the need for stronger measures to control NCDs.
He described heart attacks as a leading complication associated with both high blood pressure and diabetes and said controlling what he termed a “modern epidemic” remains one of the biggest challenges facing the country.
Dr. Jasinghe also stressed that Sri Lanka’s healthcare system must adapt to changes in the country’s demographic structure and disease patterns while expanding modern medical facilities.
He said the Ministry of Health and Mass Media is implementing a major programme under the policies of the government led by the President and the guidance of the Minister of Health.
The programme focuses on three key components Arogya, Cluster Systems and High-End Care Institutions which are being developed to meet the changing needs of Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.
