Focus areas

Health and Nutrition

Despite the protracted conflict and devastating impact of the 2004 tsunami, Sri Lanka’s health indicators continue to stand out compared to other South Asian countries. Sri Lanka has an under five mortality rate of 21 per 1,000 (2007), significantly below the Asia-Pacific average of 59, and a maternal mortality rate of 37.36 per 100,000 live births, well below the regional average of 500. Basic immunisation coverage reached 98% in 2011.

However, maternal and child malnutrition remains a major challenge, adversely affecting children’s physical and intellectual development. Nearly 17 per cent of babies are born with low birth weight. The prevalence of underweight among children aged below five stands at 21 per cent. Moreover, significant disparities exist in the nutritional status of children and women across the country. Stunting stands at 19 per cent with district variations; from 8 per cent in Colombo to 41 per cent in the hill country district of Nuwara Eliya.

The program is structured to address these issues with three main areas of focus:
(1) improve Maternal and Child Nutrition in low performing districts,
(2) strengthen maternal, neonatal and child health care and monitoring with a special focus on disadvantaged population in the Estate sector and the rural areas,
(3) enhance access to quality basic health, nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services for women and children in resettlement areas / emergencies.

FAST FACTS

• Neonatal Mortality 11 (per 1,000 live births)- DHS 2006
• Maternal Mortality 37.36 (per 100,000 live births)- FHB-2007
• Under 5 Mortality 21 (per 1,000 live births)- DHS 2006
• Infant Mortality 15 (per 1,000 live births)- DHS 2006
• Immunisation coverage 98 per cent- Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health
• 16.6 per cent of infants are born with low birth weight
• 76 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed up to 6 months
• 15 per cent acute malnutrition or wasting (aged below five years)
• 18 per cent chronic malnutrition or stunting (aged below five years)