By Dilanthi Jayamanne
Health Minister, Maithripala Sirisena addressing the press said yesterday said that 40 percent patients at the Maharagama Cancer Institute were terminally ill due to smoking.
There are four wards full of patients suffering from smoking related cancers, he said. The health Ministry would launch a national alcohol tobacco control programme to create public awareness on the grave dangers smoking and drinking posed to health. Approximately 900- 1000 persons died daily in Sri Lanka, 60 percent of those deaths were due to non communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and respiratory diseases. The main cause of strokes was either smoking or alcohol, the Minister said.
Minister Sirisena said that the Ministry had been given Rs. 100 bn by the State and Rs. 8 bn by INGOs to implement its programme.
Highlighting some of the main progarmmes, the Ministry was scheduled to launch this year Minister Sirisena said government would establish a National Drug Quality Regulatory Authority prior to bringing in the Drug Policy law.
The Ministry would establish a drug data base with information on all drugs available incountry wide hospitals by September. Minister Sirisena said the project would cost the government approximately Rs. 440 million.
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