Community physicians screening passengers at the Fort Railway Station

To mark the World Heart Day that fell on September 29th, the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Health organised a screening programme for the public at the Fort Railway Station on September 30 (Monday). 

Speaking on the importance of the programme, Community Physician Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Dr. Amila Herath, noted that a major cause for deaths and disabilities in Sri Lanka was heart disease. “We checked the blood pressure, bloody sugar, Body Mass Index (BMI) and the 10-year cardiovascular risk assessment of about 700-800 passengers free of charge.”

He added that satellite screening sessions across all districts will also be held within this week by regional directors of health services at railway stations, bus stands, Sunday fairs and other locations frequented by the public.