Non-Communicable Diseases cause 90% of deaths in Sri Lanka

Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Secretary of the Ministry of Health, has announced that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 89 percent of deaths in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Mahipala emphasized that individuals aged between 50 and 60 are particularly vulnerable, with four out of ten people in this age group falling victim to these diseases. He also reported that approximately 60,000 Sri Lankans experience strokes annually, leading to 4,000 deaths and leaving 56,000 individuals with significant health complications.

In addition to the alarming stroke statistics, Dr. Mahipala highlighted that smoking contributes to 20,000 deaths each year in Sri Lanka.

To address this critical public health issue, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has announced a substantial investment of 70 billion rupees over the next five years. This investment aims to enhance primary healthcare services and establish five cardiac catheterization units across the island, providing much-needed support in the fight against NCDs.