Chronic Illiteracy is one of the major problem these day. As chronic diseases which most of us are mostly not aware of is a major cause of disability and deaths worldwide. As per WHO Chronic diseases will are responsible for 42% of total death tolls in Pakistan and These diseases are responsible for more than 60% deaths worldwide.
Most of its symptoms such as High Blood Pressure, Strokes, Diabetes and cancer are considered as neglected health issues. Increased BMI is a major cause of chronic disease. And in Pakistan it is expected that the prevalence of overweight people is to increase in coming year (Both Man and Woman)
Pakistan being the sixth most populated country in the world and is continuously growing at about 1.83% every year. And as per a survey 33% of Pakistan’s population above 45 has hypertension.Further analysis of the same data revealed that the prevalence is 19% (95% CI; 18.9-19.1) in people of age 15 or above. Pakistan also stands at number 6 in terms of number of people with diabetes. And it is estimated that diabetic patients will rise to 13.9 million by 2020 which will make Pakistan jump up to the 4th position in the list of countries with most diabetic mellitus patients.
As per the National Health Survey of Pakistan 25% patients over the age of 45 years suffer Diabetes mellitus.
Further analysis of this data revealed that prevalence of DM among population aged 15 years and above was 5.4% (95% CI; 4.9-5.9) with significant ethnic differences.6 Prevalence of smoking has been reported to be 14-21% in adolescents and adults, being more common in men.7-9 The estimated annual incidence of stroke in Pakistan is 250/100,000, translating to 350,000 new cases every year.
WHO has suggested four step to be taken by developing countries people like Pakistan to fight these types of disease.
- Low salt Intake
- Smoking cessation
- Physical Activity
- Cost effective pharmacological therapy
WHO has also recommended for heavy taxation on tobacco products, ban on smoking in work place, ban on tobacco advertising, warning about tobacco and media campaign against use of tobacco to discourage it. WHO says if these parameters are taken this can reduce in 24% of the smokers.
Chronic diseases has a huge impact on Economy. As per WHO Pakistan will have a lose of 1 billion dollar in National income because of premature deaths due to stroke, diabetes and heart disease. And these loses will keep on growing and Pakistan will faces loses up to 31 billion dollar in next 10 years.
WHO says 80% of these deaths can be prevented by avoidance of tobacco, healthy diet and physical activities. These type of interventions will also help Pakistan economically WHO says 2% of annual reduction in these type of chronic diseases will help Pakistan in gaining 1 billion dollar.
By Aarij Shamim. The writer is student of Institute of Business Management (IoBM).