Non-communicable diseases drive 80% of deaths in Sri Lanka

Non-communicable diseases now account for 80% of all deaths in Sri Lanka, with high blood pressure and diabetes identified as the primary drivers of the crisis. Speaking at the launch of construction for a new Cardiac Care Complex at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital yesterday, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, warned that the interconnected conditions are triggering widespread health complications, most notably heart attacks.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated that current healthcare data reveals only around 50% of individuals suffering from high blood pressure and just 25% of diabetic patients in Sri Lanka have their conditions under effective control.

He said: “80% of all deaths occurring in our country are caused by non-communicable diseases. Among these, High blood pressure and Diabetes are at the forefront. We refer to these as NCDs.”

He added: “The main issue is that these two diseases are interconnected and cause a range of complications in a person’s health. Looking at the current situation in Sri Lanka, only around 50% of those suffering from High blood pressure are under effective control. Similarly, only around 25% of diabetic patients are under proper control. As a result, this has now become a major problem in society.”

He continued: “The most serious complication associated with both these diseases is Myocardial Infarction (MI), or a heart attack. This has also become the leading complication. So, how do we control this modern epidemic? This is the biggest challenge before us.”

To address changing demographic structures and shifting disease patterns, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media is restructuring the national health framework around three core pillars: Arogya, Cluster Systems, and High-End Care Institutions.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe said: “While establishing modern facilities across the country, our health system must also recognize the changes that have taken place in the demographic structure of our population and disease patterns. Accordingly, our health system must be adapted to suit these changing circumstances.”

He concluded: “Under the policies of the government led by the President and the guidance of the Minister of Health, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media is currently implementing a major programme in this regard. Its three main components are Arogya, Cluster Systems and High-End Care Institutions, which need to be developed to suit the requirements of our health system.”