[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – SUMMARY – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your summary. The summary condenses the main points for the news that starts below. The summary is in bold and not longer than 300 characters, including spaces. The counter at the bottom can help.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Nepal faces a critical rise in non-communicable diseases, now causing over 70% of deaths. Health funding remains below 5% of the national budget, far from the WHO-recommended 10%. Inadequate, infrastructure-focused spending hampers quality care, prevention, and equitable services, leaving NCDs largely unchecked and mortality rates rising.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – TEXT OF THE NEWS – BLOCK 1 – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your news. PLEASE USE ONLY THE FEATURED IMAGE FUNCTION on your right column to add the image.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nepal is experiencing a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer, greatly impacting its healthcare system from cities to villages. Outpatient departments nationwide are crowded with patients suffering chronic, lifelong conditions that drain resources and challenge access to quality care. Government response, however, has been marred by declining investment in health even while the disease burden grows. Nepal\u2019s health policy is described as uncertain and insufficiently guided by evidence, with uniform budget allocations nationwide failing to address local needs and reliance on infrastructure spending instead of prevention and quality improvement.<\/p>\n A review of health budget trends reveals a low and stagnant allocation for health, far below World Health Organization recommendations. During COVID-19, Nepal\u2019s health sector budget peaked at 7.35% of total expenditure in 2021\/22 (Rs 122.77 billion), but this has since fallen to about 4.77% in 2025\/26 (Rs 95.81 billion). This is nearly half the WHO-recommended 10%. Experts and authorities, including the Nepal Health Research Council<\/a> and Ministry of Health, note that such funding levels make it impossible to ensure quality care and maintain essential services. Most spending focuses on constructing buildings rather than equipping facilities with drugs, technology, and skilled staff, resulting in complaints that citizens do not receive the care they need.<\/p>\n Over the past five years, the number of NCD patients receiving government financial assistance has soared, and direct costs of care for NCDs have risen sharply, reaching Rs 4.42 billion in 2024\/25. Despite the rise in deaths caused by heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, diabetes, and kidney diseases, as well as accidents and mental health issues, prevention and control programs remain underfunded. The death rate due to NCDs increased from 66% in 2017 to 73% in 2021, reflecting a deepening crisis.<\/p>\n Social determinants such as smoking (influencing 18% of deaths), high blood pressure, air pollution, and unhealthy diets are major contributors, with the prevalence of risk factors rising. Rural and poor communities face greater impacts due to lack of screening and preventive services. Although some aid is provided for NCD treatments, most programs are treatment-centric and do little to curb the underlying causes. The Ministry of Health recently proposed broad-based screening and preventive programs at all local units but is constrained by limited funding. Separate budget allocations for mental health and NCDs, as ordered by the Supreme Court, have yet to be enacted in practice.<\/p>\n