This was said by the Minister of Health, Nutrition, and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senarathne at the inauguration ceremony of the ‘ENDOCRINE CONGRESS-2016’ held in Colombo recently under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. ‘ENDOCRINE CONGRESS-2016’ was an initiative by the Sri Lanka College of Endocrinologists in collaboration with the South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies.

According to the Minister, annually, 10,000 deaths are reported due to diabetes related complications while eight per cent is suffering. In the past diabetes was identified only among the elderly population but, now it has spread towards the young and child population. It is also a challenge to provide health services. This situation shows the need for tough steps to control the Non Communicable Diseases – (NCD) or Life Style Related Disease (LSRD). Currently, about one fourth of Sri Lankans are overweight while seven percent is at obesity level.

The Ministry of Health has already started awareness programs to motivate public to take precautionary actions, open Suwadivi Centers, and conduct Suwanari Clinics island-wide government hospitals. The inter-sectional cooperation of the relevant health sections is also essential.