COVID-19 and Non-Communicable Diseases

Dr Prajjwal Pyakurel

COVID-19 has devasted the global health system and left millions of people wandering from the basic health care needs. A scientific study recently published in the journal Lancet Global Health has shown that one in five people are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 should they become infected because of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). NCDs are important for the global health as they are the leading cause of death worldwide. It kills 41 million people each year. Among the NCDs cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) accounts for most NCDs deaths follows by cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. A recent survey done by World Health Organization has shown that 75% of the NCDs services are in halt worldwide because of COVID-19.