National communication program to boost child health

Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a nationwide communication program aimed at promoting child health through social and behavioral change. The initiative, operating under the 'Clean Sri Lanka' program, seeks to address prevalent unhealthy behaviors observed among children under five years old.

These behaviors include poor physical and oral hygiene, excessive consumption of sugar and salt, reliance on sweetened beverages and bakery products, insufficient physical activity and sleep, digital screen addiction, and a lack of environmental sensitivity. These issues have been identified through scientific data and a national multi-sectoral strategy for early childhood care and development (2025-2029) published by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

The Health Promotion Bureau developed the program, named 'National Communication Program for Child Health Promotion Through Social and Behavioral Change,' with financial support from UNICEF. In 2025, the program focused on training 277 officials as master trainers from the health, early childhood development, and pre-primary education sectors. These trainers then equipped 900 preschool teachers across all districts with communication toolkits to implement activities within their schools.

A follow-up program was conducted to assess the use of these toolkits and their potential for continued application. Based on the progress achieved in 2025, the cabinet endorsed the proposal by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to implement the 'National Communication Program for Child Health Promotion Through Social and Behavioral Change' island-wide under the STEP-UP Early Childhood Development program, initiated by 'Clean Sri Lanka.'