1. Emergence of Non Communicable Diseases in Sri Lanka
Facing the Challenge
Dr. Lakshmi C. Somatunga
Director/Non Communicable Diseases
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka

2. Trends in Hospital Mortality (Deaths per 100,000 pop)

3. Demography Transition in the demographic profile
Increasing trend in the proportion of the older age groups
Median age 21.3 yrs until 1981
25.6 yrs by 1994 (Demo. Survey 1994)
Life expectancy at birth
70.7 for males
75.4 for females

4. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka
Tobacco Use
National level statistics –Around 25% prevalence among males
< 1% among females (So far)
Around 80% of smoked tobacco used as cigarettes

5. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka continues;
Diet
Traditionally; Rice and curry are staples of the Sri Lankan diet; favorite dishes include "mallung," consisting of Greeny leafy Veg,coconut, red onions, and lime,
The Trend;
fast food chains, No cooking at home
Increased consumption of animal fats
Consumption of salty,sugary and fatty snacks

6. Do we eat adequate vegetables?
Is it available at reasonable cost?

7. Do we have a habit of consuming fruits every day?

8. Food Consumption Pattern (Per capita per day)
Wheat-based food
Urban
Rural
1978
348.6
301.9
1996
371.6
413.6
Meat
9.8
3.1
10.7
4.5
Eggs
3.9
2.2
6.9
4.6

9. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka continues;
Diet
Consumption of Fruits (per day)
71% <1 serving
21% 1 serving
8% 2 or more
(Survey by NCD Unit, Ministry of Health, 2003)

10. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka continues;
Physical Activity
All occurring within a context of reduced levels of physical activity
(Cricket is the trademark spectator sport. People keep watching for hours but, not engaged in sport for a few minutes)

11. Clean Air
Those days
in-built Physical Activity

12. Facing the challenge; Guiding Principle
Prevention is the most cost effective way

13. Facing the challenge; Strategic Objective
To promote healthy life style
across the life span

14. To launch an integrated NCD prevention programme
General Objective
To launch an integrated NCD prevention programme
in Sri Lanka

15. Key Result Areas Coordination between sectors
Behavioral change among children
Community, exposed to correct messages
Quality of management of major NCD improved
Systematic collection of information for action – Surveillance improved
Demand for prevention is created

16. Routine Activities Achieved/On-going
Establishment of a NCD prevention and control network
Train professionals on issues related to tobacco
Incorporate NCD prevention into existing school curriculum
Mobilizing youth towards prevention of NCD
Piloting the WHO Stepwise approach for NCD surveillance
Strengthen health clubs in the schools
Produce and distribute media materials on NCD prevention
Tobacco & Alcohol bill passed in the parliament

17. Major Activities
Establishment of a NCD surveillance mechanism (A national NCD risk factor survey is being conducted in Sept- Nov 2006 and thereafter to repeat in every 5 years)
Launching of an island-wide Social Marketing Programme

18. Major Activities planned for year 2007;
Formulation of National NCD Policy and Strategy
Development of National Action Plan on Prevention and Control of major NCD
Printing Text book insert for school children on promoting Healthy Lifestyle to prevent NCD

23. THANK YOU