Nepal’s Silent Health Crisis: Study Reveals Over Half of Deaths Caused by Non-Communicable Diseases

New Delhi, 12 September, 2025: Nepal, a country renowned for Mount Everest and its rich cultural heritage, is silently battling a far more dangerous challenge — the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Despite noticeable improvements in healthcare infrastructure and access over the past decade, a new study has revealed that more than 53% of deaths in Gandaki Province are linked to NCDs. This alarming trend sheds light on a growing health crisis that is largely preventable but continues to claim thousands of lives every year.

The Study Findings

The research, titled “Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and Emerging Attention in Gandaki Province, Nepal”, was published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2025. It highlights that 53.87% of total deaths in the province are due to NCDs, making them the leading cause of mortality.

While infectious diseases once dominated Nepal’s health burden, the data now shows a dramatic shift toward chronic lifestyle-related illnesses. This trend mirrors the global rise in NCDs but is particularly concerning for a country like Nepal, where healthcare resources are limited, and prevention measures are often overlooked.

What Are Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)?

Non-communicable diseases are chronic conditions that are not passed from person to person. They usually develop slowly and progress over time. The major types include:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): Such as heart attacks and strokes.
• Chronic respiratory diseases: Including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
• Cancers: Various forms, especially linked to lifestyle and environmental factors.
• Diabetes: Increasing due to poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
• Liver and kidney diseases: Often linked to alcohol use, infections, or poor health monitoring.

Why Are NCDs Rising in Nepal?

Several interconnected factors are fueling the rise of NCDs in Nepal:

1. Urbanization and Lifestyle Changes
   With rapid urban growth, more people are shifting from traditional diets to highly processed foods rich in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Combined with sedentary lifestyles, this has increased obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates.
2. Tobacco and Alcohol Use
   Nepal has a high prevalence of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, both major risk factors for cancers, cardiovascular disease, and liver damage.
3. Limited Health Awareness
   Preventive health check-ups are not common, and many individuals are unaware of the early warning signs of chronic illnesses until complications arise.
4. Environmental Factors
   Air pollution, both indoor (from cooking stoves) and outdoor, contributes to rising cases of chronic respiratory diseases.
5. Weak Healthcare Infrastructure
   While healthcare services have improved, rural areas still lack adequate facilities for early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of NCDs.

The Five Deadliest Diseases in Nepal

Based on the study and broader health data, here are the top five NCDs posing the greatest threat to Nepal’s population:

1. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): The number one killer, driven by hypertension, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
2. Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Strongly linked to smoking, biomass fuel use, and air pollution.
3. Cancers: With lung, stomach, and cervical cancers being most common.
4. Diabetes: Rapidly increasing, especially in urban populations.
5. Liver Diseases: Often connected to alcohol use and hepatitis infections.

The Way Forward: Prevention and Solutions

The rise of NCDs in Nepal is alarming, but it is not irreversible. Since these diseases are largely preventable, a strong focus on lifestyle changes, public health campaigns, and policy interventions can drastically reduce their burden.

• Health Education Campaigns: Promoting awareness about healthy eating, regular exercise, and early detection.
• Tobacco and Alcohol Control: Stricter regulations and higher taxation to reduce consumption.
• Regular Screening: Encouraging annual health check-ups for early detection of diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
• Strengthening Healthcare Systems: Equipping rural clinics with diagnostic tools and trained professionals.
• Community-Based Interventions: Mobilizing local health workers to spread awareness and conduct screenings.

The study from Gandaki Province is a wake-up call for Nepal. With over 53% of deaths now linked to NCDs, the country is facing a silent health crisis that could worsen if immediate action is not taken. While infectious diseases have been brought under better control, lifestyle-related illnesses are on the rise — and they demand urgent attention.

If Nepal can combine policy changes, community awareness, and preventive healthcare, it can not only curb the NCD epidemic but also protect the future of millions of its citizens. The time to act is now.