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Doctors warn of looming malnutrition crisis

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The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights has raised concerns over the country’s escalating food inflation, warning that it could lead to a malnutrition crisis in the near future.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, its president, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa highlighted the potential for a severe nutrition crisis in rural, semi-urban, and estate areas, where many communities are already grappling with economic challenges.

He explained that with the country’s economic recovery still in its early stages, the combination of rising inflation and growing food insecurity could place vulnerable populations at significant risk.

“The life of the people has not yet stabilized,” said Dr. Sanjeewa, pointing out that the high cost of essential food items was burdening many households, particularly those of farmers, fishermen, and estate workers across regions like Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Hambantota, Matara, Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, and the Northern and Eastern provinces.

“These communities have unstable income sources, and the rising food prices are forcing them to spend a disproportionate amount of their income on daily meals,” he noted.

He further warned that the situation could worsen if dry weather conditions persist, adversely affecting harvests in these areas.

If income sources continue to decrease while food prices soar, a nutrition crisis could particularly impact young children, pregnant women, and the elderly — groups most vulnerable to malnutrition.

Dr. Sanjeewa stressed the importance of implementing successful nutrition programs aimed at supporting these vulnerable groups.

Although the government has allocated funds for such initiatives through the 2025 budget, he expressed concern that these funds have not been effectively distributed or utilized to reach the people who need them most.

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