In Sri Lanka, two important resolutions were adopted this week to address the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart diseases and diabetes. The WHO regional meeting for South East Asia at Colombo which concluded Friday, adopted the Colombo Resolution for NCDs which called for prevention through strengthening of primary health care system and allocating adequate resources. <br/><br/>WHO Regional Director for South East Asia Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, providing access to essential medicines, experience sharing and adopting a multi- sectoral approach are part of the resolution. <br/><br/>Another important meeting of health professionals held at Colombo endorsed the Colombo Declaration demanding urgent action to address the link between maternal health and diabetes as a public health priority. Over 300 delegates representing South Asian countries resolved to focus on hyperglycemia in pregnancy to improve mother and new born health and address prevention of NCDs at a later stage.<br/><br/>Dr. Anil Kapoor, representing the Federation of International organisations of Gynecologist's and Obstetricians said that hyperglycemia affects estimated one-fourth of life births in South Asia.<br/><br/>Both meetings appreciated the excellent records of health system in Sri Lanka which has led to reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) at a level comparable to developed nations.

In Sri Lanka, two important resolutions were adopted this week to address the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart diseases and diabetes. The WHO regional meeting for South East Asia at Colombo which concluded Friday, adopted the Colombo Resolution for NCDs which called for prevention through strengthening of primary health care system and allocating adequate resources. <br/><br/>WHO Regional Director for South East Asia Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, providing access to essential medicines, experience sharing and adopting a multi- sectoral approach are part of the resolution. <br/> <br/>Another important meeting of health professionals held at Colombo endorsed the Colombo Declaration demanding urgent action to address the link between maternal health and diabetes as a public health priority. Over 300 delegates representing South Asian countries resolved to focus on hyperglycemia in pregnancy to improve mother and new born health and address prevention of NCDs at a later stage.<br/><br/>Dr. Anil Kapoor, representing the Federation of International organisations of Gynecologist's and Obstetricians said that hyperglycemia affects estimated one-fourth of life births in South Asia.<br/><br/>Both meetings appreciated the excellent records of health system in Sri Lanka which has led to reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) at a level comparable to developed nations.