KATHMANDU: Nepal is witnessing a worrying surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular illnesses, chronic respiratory complications, and cancers, according to health experts.
Dr. Manita Pyakurel of the Nepal Non-Communicable Disease Alliance stated that NCD cases are increasing at an alarming rate. Among them, heart disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, and cancers are the most prevalent.
“Heart-related conditions account for about 30 percent of all NCDs, followed by chronic respiratory diseases at 10 percent and cancers at 9 percent,” she said.
The mortality burden of NCDs has escalated sharply over the past decade. In 2010, NCDs were responsible for around 51 percent of all deaths in Nepal. This rose to 60 percent by 2014, then to 66 percent in 2016, and reached a staggering 71.1 percent by 2019, according to the Global Burden of Disease report.
Experts warn that not only are NCDs becoming the dominant health threat in Nepal, but the cost of treatment is also rising steeply, posing a serious challenge to the country’s healthcare system and economy.
Globally, NCDs are responsible for the deaths of an estimated 4.3 million people each year, and the trend is mirrored in Nepal, where shifting lifestyles, poor diets, lack of exercise, and rising pollution are key contributing factors.
Public health advocates are urging urgent policy attention and preventive strategies, including awareness campaigns, early screening, and stronger primary healthcare systems to address the growing crisis.
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