Veddhas are free from common diseases diabetes and hyper tension which their urban counterparts are afflicted with, a recent study has revealed.

The study titled, Non Communicable Diseases among the Indigenous Community, led by Dr. Waruna Gunathilake in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is the first ever detailed study on a specific group of people conducted in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Gunathilake told The Island that the focus of the study had been on diabetes mellitus, hyper cholesterol and blood pressure. He said: "We selected the Rathugala Veddhas, who are a genetically important original community in the country for our study. All members of over 40 years of age belonging to 70 families were examined. There were 200 people. Not a single one of them has diabetes. Their hyper cholesterol level is normal and blood pressure in a super normal state."

Rathugala is located off Bibile in the Moneragala District. It is adjacent to the Nilgala. The Veddhas live cut off from the hustle and bustle of urban life. They have developed their own medical system mainly due to severe difficulties they experience in reaching the nearest township for health care. They are a semi agricultural community dependent on Samurdhi benefits, according to Dr. Gunathilake.

"Besides, the Veddhas underwent a sophisticated lung function test free of charge and it would have cost them around Rs. 4000, if conducted at a private medical institution. Respiratory tract diseases among them are at a minimal level," he said.

Dr. Gunathilake said however according to the Veddhas’ Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment, they had some nutritional problems. The skin diseases were very common among them. They were suffering from anaemia. Due to the prevalence of marriages among blood relatives, they were suffering from congenital disorders.

The study also detected a high rate of teenage pregnancies among them.

"Based on the findings of the study, the Health Ministry will take steps to address the Veddhas’ nutritional and health care problems shortly," said Dr. Gunathilake. "I must thank to Director General of Health Services Dr. Ajith Mendis, Uva Province Health Director Dr. Shelton Chandrasiri and Moneragala Regional Health Director Dr. V. D. S. K. Siriwardana for their tremendous support for making our study a success he added.

Director General Health Services Dr Ajith Mendis said that the Veddaha community had not been exposed to modern food culture and was blessed with an excellent immunity system. Yet, there were other ailments among them such as nutritional and marital and child health problems.

Family health officers would be deployed to raise the Veddahs’ awareness of health issues, Dr. Mendis said. Those awareness programmes would also be conducted in other areas such as Moneragala and findings of the recently concluded study would be made use of in addressing the health problems of the Veddah community, he said.