Kailali sees rising burden of non-communicable diseases, nearly 124,000 affected by high blood pressure

Dhangadhi: The Kailali Health Office has stated that the incidence of non-communicable diseases in the district is higher than that of communicable diseases.

According to the Health Office, the number of people suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, lung and heart diseases is increasing in the district.

Health Office Chief Ramesh Kunwar said an estimated 123,980 people in Kailali have high blood pressure. However, only around 40,000 to 45,000 of them receive regular health check-ups and treatment services.

Similarly, data show that around 30,000 people in the district have diabetes and 48,000 have lung-related problems. Kunwar said some people are unaware that they have these diseases, while others do not undergo regular check-ups and treatment despite knowing about their condition.

“Some people are suffering from the disease without knowing about it,” said Kunwar. “Some people are not getting regular health checkups and health services even after knowing that they have the disease.”

According to him, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases are the most prevalent non-communicable diseases.

Kunwar said the increasing use of alcohol and tobacco products, unhealthy and disordered diets, and physical inactivity are the main reasons behind the rise in non-communicable diseases. He urged people to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, engage in regular physical activity and improve their diet.

He informed that about 71 out of every 100 deaths in Nepal are caused by non-communicable diseases.

According to the Health Office, governments at all three levels are conducting various programs for the identification, prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. Kunwar said screening programs for cervical and breast cancer among women, along with HPV vaccination against cervical cancer, are also being conducted.

He urged citizens to undergo timely health check-ups, engage in regular physical activity and improve their diet.