SL Faces Alarming Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases - Health Minister

Dr. Jayatissa highlighted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for a staggering 83% of annual deaths in Sri Lanka, underlining the growing health crisis in the country. He further elaborated on the concerning prevalence of hypertension, noting that 35% of individuals aged 60 and above suffer from the condition.

 The Minister warned that approximately 60,000 people experience strokes each year due to undiagnosed hypertension, with nearly 4,000 cases leading to death or severe disability.

In addition, Dr. Jayatissa shed light on the rising burden of diabetes, which affects 20% of the elderly population. Alarmingly, 41% of elderly individuals with diabetes are not receiving any treatment, exacerbating the risk of complications.

The launch of the 'Primary Healthcare System Improvement Project' aims to address these issues by enhancing primary healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas, and ensuring better treatment and prevention strategies for NCDs. The World Bank's support for this project is expected to make a significant impact on the country's health infrastructure and improve outcomes for millions of Sri Lankans.

As Sri Lanka faces a growing health crisis due to non-communicable diseases, the need for urgent action in primary healthcare and public health education has never been more pressing.