July 06, Colombo (LNW): The 11th National Accident Prevention Week got underway today (06), with the Ministry of Health launching a series of nationwide initiatives aimed at promoting safety and reducing preventable injuries across Sri Lanka.
Running until July 10, the campaign seeks to raise public awareness of accident prevention while easing the growing burden that accidental injuries place on the country’s healthcare system, economy and communities.
Health authorities note that a considerable number of patients receiving treatment in state hospitals each year are admitted as a result of preventable accidents. Among the leading causes are road traffic collisions, falls, workplace incidents, drowning and accidents occurring in homes, all of which continue to pose significant public health challenges.
The official opening ceremony is being held today at the Ministry of Health under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa.
To encourage greater public participation, each day of the campaign has been assigned a specific safety theme. Today (06) is dedicated to road accident prevention, followed by workplace safety on July 07, home and elderly care home safety on July 08, drowning prevention on July 09, and accident prevention in schools, pre-schools and daycare centres on July 10.
During the five-day campaign, authorities will conduct awareness programmes, inspect locations identified as accident hotspots and promote practical safety measures aimed at reducing risks in homes, workplaces, schools and public spaces. The Ministry also plans to introduce a combination of immediate and long-term strategies to strengthen accident prevention efforts nationwide.
The programme is being implemented with the support of government institutions, healthcare providers, educational authorities, the security forces, local organisations and other stakeholders, reflecting a coordinated national effort to improve public safety and reduce preventable injuries.