The Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to gazette and implement the revised National Policy and Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told the post-cabinet press conference yesterday.

Gunawardena said that NCDs including heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes were the major causes of death in Sri Lanka. Annually, these diseases are responsible for approximately 120,000 fatalities.

The main contributing factors to these conditions were tobacco consumption, drinking, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood cholesterol, he said, adding the first national policy for NCD prevention had been published in 2009. After evaluating and reviewing this policy, a revised version had been drafted through consultations with all relevant parties, he said.

The Minister of Health proposed the publication and implementation of the revised National Policy and Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-communicable Diseases in Sri Lanka, which has now been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. (RK)