The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to implement the project “Management of Hypertension and Diabetes based on the Strategies in Primary Care Services” in the districts of Galle, Colombo, and Gampaha.

This expansion follows the earlier Cabinet approval granted in January 2021, to implement the project “Multimodal Involvement to Improve the Prevention and Management of Hypertension in the Integrated Mechanism for Implementing Primary Health Care Services in Sri Lanka” using a grant of US$ 304,795 provided by the Resolve to Save Lives institution. 

That project was carried out in Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale between 2021 and 2024, yielding positive results.

The new phase will be funded through the remaining funds from Stage 1, an additional financial grant, and a total grant of US$ 242,125 provided by Resolve to Save Lives. 

The Cabinet also approved entering into an agreement with the institution to secure the financial provisions. (Newswire)

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One in every five adults in Sri Lanka is living with diabetes, and one in three of them is at risk of developing eye-related complications, according to Sri Lanka’s health authorities.

Addressing a press briefing organized by the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Kapila Banduthilaka, Consultant Ophthalmologist at the National Eye Hospital, said in Sri Lanka, the prevalence of diabetes among adults is estimated to be between 23% and 30%.

“Recent data shows a 73% increase in general diabetes cases. Globally, one in nine adults is diagnosed with diabetes. In Sri Lanka, the prevalence among adults is estimated to be between 23% and 30%, meaning roughly one in five is affected. Of those, one-third develop eye diseases, and 11% risk blindness if untreated,” he said.

Dr. Banduthilaka emphasized that diabetes significantly impacts vision, particularly among the working-age population, leading to an estimated annual income loss of Rs. 923 million.

He further said that most patients at the National Eye Hospital’s diabetic eye clinic are not elderly, but rather between the ages of 40 and 50. 

Stressing that diabetic blindness is preventable, he added, “There’s no reason for these individuals to go blind. With early detection, lifestyle changes, and proper treatment, we can manage or even prevent the condition. Even if prevention fails, early-stage treatment options are available.” (Newswire)

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