Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has warned that sudden accidents remain the leading cause of hospitalizations in Sri Lanka, with over 1.3 million people admitted to hospitals each year and nearly 3 million more seeking medical treatment.
He noted that one in every seven citizens faces the risk of requiring medical care annually due to accidents, while 6 to 8 individuals are referred for treatment every minute.
Accidents account for about 8% of total deaths, with the most affected group being those aged 15 to 44, the country’s productive age category, the Health Minister added.
Speaking at the launch of the 11th National Accident Prevention Week on Monday (06) at the Ministry of Health, Minister Jayatissa emphasized the urgent need for a continuous, integrated programme to minimize preventable accidents and deaths.
He said the initiative, first introduced in 2016, has become a vital juncture in Sri Lanka’s public health sector, aiming to safeguard lives and the nation’s future.
The programme, jointly operated by the Ministry’s Non‑Communicable Diseases Unit and the National Committee on Prevention of Injuries (NCPI), will run island‑wide from July 06 to 10, 2026.
Its objectives include raising public awareness, reducing accidents‑related fatalities, and building a safer social environment.
This year’s themes are Road Accident Prevention (July 06), Workplace Accident Prevention (July 07), Accident Prevention in Homes and Elders’ Residences (July 08), Prevention of Drowning (July 09), and Accident Prevention in Schools, Preschools, and Daycare Centers (July 10). (Newswire)