Sri Lanka faces health crisis as non-communicable diseases dominate death toll
March 29, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Health has revealed that a staggering 83 per cent of all deaths in Sri Lanka are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), underscoring a growing public health crisis in the country.
Amongst the most concerning issues is hypertension, with 35 per cent of individuals over the age of 60 suffering from high blood pressure.
Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa warned that undiagnosed hypertension leads to nearly 60,000 strokes annually, with approximately 4,000 individuals either dying or becoming permanently disabled each year.
The alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for better early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes also remains a significant concern, with 20 per cent of the adult population affected. Shockingly, 41 per cent of those diagnosed do not seek any form of medical treatment, raising fears of severe long-term complications such as organ failure, blindness, and amputations.
Health experts are calling for immediate action, urging nationwide awareness campaigns, improved access to early screenings, and better lifestyle interventions to combat the growing burden of NCDs in Sri Lanka.
