AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY NOT A PRODUCTIVE ONE
Health experts say that even though the life expectancy in Sri Lanka has increased to 76 years it is not a productive life expectancy.
Former World Health Organization (WHO) programmes officer and the Chairman and Founder of Village 60 Plus Dr. Harischandra Yakandawala said although the life expectancy in Sri Lanka was high, most of the elders were living with non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Yakandawala said that 60% of the individuals who are more than 40 years took medicine. By 70 years nearly 90% of the people take medicine.
“The life expectancy has increased because healthcare facilities have increased and there are treatments available for diseases. However there are many people who are living with diseases,” he said.
He said there were no facilities to provide registrations for private healthcare services like elders homes although the elderly population was increasing and the demand for these services were also increasing.
According to Health Ministry sources due to the 100% coverage for communicable diseases under the National Immunization Programme there is a decrease in communicable diseases and measures are being taken to address the presence of non-communicable diseases especially among the elderly.
Health Ministry media spokesman D.M. Wanninayake told the Daily Mirror that the life expectancy had increased due to enhancement in the quality of healthcare facilities, well equipped hospitals and well trained doctors.