Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa, revealed that out of the approximately 145,000 annual deaths in Sri Lanka, around 12,000 are caused by accidents. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 10th National Injury Prevention Week, which commenced today and runs until July 11.
The Minister noted that between 2,500 and 3,000 patients referred to hospitals each year due to accidents ultimately succumb to their injuries. He emphasized that accidental injuries are a major cause of hospital admissions across the country, prompting the Ministry to launch this nationwide awareness campaign.
Dr. Jayathissa stated that, statistically, at least one out of every seven Sri Lankans faces a life-threatening accident requiring medical attention each year. Alarmingly, every minute, six to eight individuals in the country are estimated to suffer injuries requiring treatment.
A significant proportion of victims are between the ages of 15 and 44, the country’s most economically productive demographic. The Minister pointed out that these injuries have far-reaching impacts on national development, economic growth, and productivity.
Accidents also consume a notable portion of the national health budget, he said, urging public awareness and prevention.
To maximize outreach, each day of the National Injury Prevention Week will focus on a different theme:
- July 7 – Road Accident Prevention
- July 8 – Workplace Injury Prevention
- July 9 – Home and Elder Care Injury Prevention
- July 10 – Drowning and Water Safety
- July 11 – Child Safety in Schools and Daycare Centers
The campaign aims to inform the public, inspect high-risk areas, and develop short-, medium-, and long-term preventive strategies.
Dr. Jayathissa concluded by recognizing the exceptional dedication of Sri Lanka’s healthcare workers and called on the public to support this initiative by staying informed and adopting safety measures.
Additional insights from the media briefing revealed that around 7,500–8,000 accidental deaths occur even before victims reach a hospital. Among the overall 145,000 annual deaths, approximately 10,000–12,000 result from sudden accidents — an average of 1,000 deaths per month, or at least four every three hours.
Also attending the briefing were Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Dr. Samindhi Samarakoon (Director, Non-Communicable Disease Unit), and Community Health Specialist Dr. Samitha Sirithunga.
