Over 50 percent of businessmen in Kamburupitiya afflicted with NCDs

Situation probably similar nationwide

By P.L. Jayawardana

Health officials have found that over 50 percent of businessmen, and their employees, in Kamburupitiya, were suffering from various Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).This was revealed when Kamburupitiya health officials conducted a series of clinics for businessmen, and their employees, in the southern township.

Kamburupitiya Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. G.C. Liyanage, said those diagnosed with NCDs had been referred to relevant clinics for treatment.

“105 people were tested. Among them were three women, suspected of breast cancer,” he said.

Dr. Liyanage added that the situation was probably same across the country. Dr. C. S. Edirisinghe of the NCD Unit of the Kamburupitiya Hospital said that they would conduct further tests in other areas.

“NCDs are a serious problem in Sri Lanka and the recent tests have shown how bad the situation in Kamburupitiya town is. We need to convince people to make necessary lifestyle changes to stop the spread of NCDs. It’s also good to identify NCDs, at an early stage, so we can manage them with medicines and lifestyle changes,” he said.

Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, strokes and cancers, account for nearly 90 percent of the disease burden in Sri Lanka. The financial burden of NCD control and care is significant and not equally distributed, affecting rich and poor households differently, he said.