KATHMANDU, July 25: A study has shown that the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was rising at an alarming rate in Nepal lately due to unhealthy lifestyle and food habits, among others. Among the NCDs, there were majorly four types of diseases related to kidney, cardiovascular, respiratory and diabetes.

The finding was unveiled after three-year-long research conducted by the Nepal Health Research Council. NCDs are emerging as a major health threat to people across Nepal as well as the world.

The research was conducted in between 2016-2018 on 13,000 patients above age 20 in 72 districts. At a program organized by Council here today to make public the research's findings, it was shared that the NCDs were highly reported in Karnali Province and Province No 2. Council's Chief Research Officer Dr Meghnath Dhimal shared that the number of patients developing NCDs was higher than those contracting communicable diseases while the number of causalities due to NCDs was higher than that from communicable diseases.

'Unhealthy lifestyle and bad food habits were among the top reasons for NCDs," said Dhimal, urging adequate investment to reduce the case of NCDs. The government of Nepal has been providing some monetary support to those patients seeking treatment for the ailments related to kidney, heart and cancer. On the occasion, Nepal Health Research Strategy-2076 BS, aimed at developing a health system based on findings of research and findings, was unveiled. The Strategy intends to promote and encourage the development of technology, skills, research culture among others.

Similarly, State-Minister for Health and Population Dr Surendra Yadav bemoaned that the investment in the health sector was scant and it would require budget worth Rs 35 billion to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the health sector. He lamented that among the allocated budget for the health sector, a lion's share of the budget had been spent on salary, facilities for the staffers of the people in the concerned sector instead of spending it for developing infrastructures.

Council's Chair Dr Anjani Kumar Jha shared that the jurisdiction of the health sector would be developed and expanded in line with the federalism and institutional structure of the Council be further strengthened.

 
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