Annual Report 2010 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

1 | DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVESThe proportion of deaths dueto circulatory diseases such asheart disease and stroke, cancer,diabetes etc. has increased duringthe past decades while decreasinginfectious diseases. In comparisonwith developed countries, NCDrisk factors in Sri Lanka are lowerfor diseases such as hypertension,obesity, tobacco, physical inactivity,and alcohol use but higher forhigh cholesterol (dyslipidemias). Itis expected that some risk factorlevels especially associated withurbanization and development gainssuch as obesity and physical inactivitywill increase in the coming years inSri Lanka (Prevention and Control ofSelected Chronic NCDs in Sri Lanka:Policy Options and Action, 2010)Considering the rising disease pattern,the government has directed fundsfor prevention and control of NCDsenabling healthier aging and to reduceloss of productivity among workingpopulation in the country during thepast five years.At a time where the NCDs areemerging, it is evident that the deathsdue to communicable diseases suchas Malaria have come to an end as aresult of strengthened preventive andcontrol activities, moving the countrytowards a malaria free nation. However,the country experienced the largestoutbreak of Dengue Fever during theTable 1.31 > Mortality due to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever andTuberculosis 2005 - 2010Yearrecent past recording the highestmortality while that of tuberculosisstill persists.Many activities were initiated underNational Dengue programme and TBcontrol programme to reduce thedisease burden in 2010.No.Dengue HemorrhagicFever (DHF)Tuberculosis(TB)2005 28 4462006 48 3472007 28 2052008 28 3622009 346 2752010 241 n.aSource: Epidemiology Unit & TB Control Programme, Ministry of Health1 World Fact Book2 A Population Projection of Sri Lanka for the New Millennium, 2001-2101: Trends & ImplicationsEconomic Benefits of HealthSri Lanka is a unique country inrespect of achieving a considerablesuccess in health indicators. With theGovernment commitment to improveservice delivery system and othernecessary facilities in the health sector,the country has almost achievedseveral of the MDG’s related to health.Addressing Inequities in HealthcareA major share of capital investment onhealth in the Medium Term ExpenditureFramework, 2005-2010, had accountedfor hospital development ensuringaccess to equitable health care service.Improving Efficiency of OperatingTheatres and Provision of OxygenConcentrators at a cost of Rs. 1,520million with French assistance,Improvement of Central Functionsat the Teaching Hospital in Jaffna ata cost of Rs. 2,987 million with JICATable 1.32 > Targets Achieved in Health Related MDG’s in Sri LankaKey Indicator 1990 2008 2015 TargetPrevalence of underweight among 38% 21.1% 19%children under 5 years of ageUnder 5 child mortality per 1000 live 22.2 13.2 12birthsInfant Mortality Rate per 1000 live 19.3 10.1 12birthsMaternal Mortality Ratio per 1000 0.92 0.37 0.36live birthsProportion of births attended by 94.1% 98.5% 99%skilled health personnelSource: Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, and Millennium Development Goal CountryReport- 2008/09assistance, development of Dental expected to enhance the capacity ofInstitute in Colombo at a cost of Rs. 694 providing quality health care for themillion etc. are some of the initiatives people in the medium term.84