The 11th National Accident Prevention Week concluded today (10) with a focus on preventing accidents in schools, preschools, and day care centers, underscoring the urgent need to safeguard children and young learners.
Health Authorities highlighted that sudden accidents remain the leading cause of hospitalizations in Sri Lanka, as well as a major driver of disabilities and deaths.
According to the Non‑Communicable Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health, each year, millions fall victim to accidents, with over one million requiring inpatient treatment. Estimates suggest nearly three million people seek medical care annually due to accidents, meaning one in every seven citizens faces such risks. On average, 6–8 Sri Lankans suffer accident‑related injuries requiring treatment every minute.
Statistics reveal that the majority of victims are within the productive age group of 15-44 years, where accidents are also the leading cause of death. Annually, 2,500–3,000 patients die after being admitted for accident treatment, while overall, 8% of Sri Lanka’s 150,000 annual deaths, about 8,000 -10,000 lives, are lost to sudden accidents. Alarmingly, more than 7,000 accident deaths occur before victims even reach hospital care.
According to the National Accident Surveillance System, falls account for 25-27% of hospital admissions, road traffic accidents for 15%, and injuries from falling objects, animal bites, assaults, and cuts for another significant share. Among outpatients, 70% are treated for animal bites. Road accidents claim about 2,500 lives annually, while suicides account for more than 3,000 deaths. Other causes include drownings, poisonings, snake bites, electrocutions, violent acts, and murders. Over half of accidents occur in homes, with about a quarter on roads.
Health officials have warned that tens of thousands live with lifelong disabilities caused by accidents, which not only devastate victims but also impose long‑term burdens on families, society, and the economy. A considerable portion of the national health budget is spent on accident treatment, making prevention critical for sustainable development.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that most accidents can be prevented through awareness, adherence to safety measures, and responsible behavior.
The week‑long program, held from July 6-10, engaged multiple ministries and institutions to raise public awareness, inspect high‑risk areas, and plan short‑, medium‑, and long‑term measures. Authorities stressed that prevention efforts must continue beyond the designated week in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. (Newswire)