Nadira GUNATILLEKE
Priority will be given this year to eradicate smoking and alcohol from the country to prevent Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Over 60 percent of deaths take place daily due to NCDs and related matters. There are 1,000 to 1,200 births and 900 to 1,000 deaths in the country per day, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.
Addressing the monthly press briefing at the Family Health Bureau yesterday Minister Sirisena said that over 40 percent of the cancer patients receiving treatment at Maharagama Cancer Hospital was afflicted with the deadly disease due to use of tobacco and alcohol. Priority will be given towards the strict implementation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mathata Thitha this year, he said.
According to Minister Sirisena the Health budget in 2012 is the largest concept. It is Rs 108 billion. The government allocated 100 billion and the balance eight billion came through foreign grants. There are around 70,000 employees attached to the health sector and over Rs. 28,000 million has to be allocated for their salaries. Another Rs 17 billion has been earmarked for drug purchasing. Over Rs.8,000 million has been allocated to construct and purchase buildings. Rs. 300 million has been set apart for dengue control.
Minister Sirisena pointed out that the `Thriposha’ production of Sri Lanka will exceed the country’s requirement by mid 2012 and arrangements will be made to export the surplus Thriposha.
There is a big demand and a good market for Thriposha in foreign countries. The local farmers will get a good price for their Soya and Sorghum. The country can save a lot of foreign exchange. The Thriposha manufacturing company was taken over by the government. Now its production meets, 94 percent of the country’s entire Thriposha requirement and it will be 100 percent by mid 2012.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/12/news04.asp
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