NCD NEWS

Published by NCD unit of Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka

Volume: 1

No: 1

September 2004

2004 - Landmark in NCD Prevention

on Communicable Diseases (NCD)

has taken necessary steps to create a

that emerge with the transition in

separate directorate in order to provide a

the demographic profile and increased life

leadership in launching a comprehensive

expectancy, are on the increase in Sri

NCD programme through out the country.

Lanka. Ischaemic heart disease is ranked

Considering the fact that the key risk

first as the leading cause of hospital

factors responsible for major NCD are

deaths.

common, Ministry of Health is focusing

Data on mortality reveals that

18% of deaths

its attention

are solely due to

for integrated
NCD

cardiovascular
as

prevention

compared to 8%

programme,

deaths due to all

which will be

communicable

most

diseases. Also,

effective way

the burden of

to deal with

diseases

cost-

the

NCD is greater
as the medical
and

Participants at the workshop to establish National NCD

Prevention and Control Network

problem.

surgical

treatment

of

conditions

such

as

cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus

or cancer is extremely expensive. If the
current rapid increase of NCD is left
unchecked, it will have significant social,
economic and health consequences. The
most cost effective way to combat the
NCD epidemic is to devote our resources

Also, it is revealed that one sector alone

cannot launch a comprehensive NCD
programme. Therefore, it was necessary to
address the key issues of this national
problem through a network, involving
various

sectors

connected

to

NCD

prevention within and outside the health

sector. This integrated approach was
essential to have a comprehensive national

towards primary prevention.

programme for prevention and control of

Recognizing

the

importance

of

the

problem of NCD, the Ministry of Health

NCD
Continued . . .

Hence, the NCD unit of the Ministry of

Health with the support of WHO South-

Tips for Healthy Living!

East Asia Regional Office organized a

national

workshop

to

initiate

For a healthy diet have more of fresh

collaborative action involving the relevant

fruits and vegetables. Sri Lanka is a

stakeholders within and outside the health

paradise of fruits and vegetables. Do

sector in year 2004 which is a landmark in

we really make use of it?

NCD Prevention

STAKEHOLDERS

Make it a habit to have a fruit

after each main meal.

Health Sector
NCD
Nutrition
Mental Health
Organization Development
Health Education Bureau
Family Health Bureau
Provincial Health Authority
Out side the Health Sector
Education
Sports
Agriculture
Youth services
Consumer affairs
Trade
Mass Communication
University of Galle Faculty of Community Medicine
National Dangerous Drug Control
Board
NGOO

For more information:

Non Communicable Diseases Unit
Ministry of Health
385, Deans Road
Colombo 10
Sri Lanka
Tel. / Fax : +94-11-2669599
Email: ncdunit@yahoo.com

Think about future generation!

Pass this message to the younger
generation, to ensure that they will
live in a
World free from NCD epidemic!