Lately, I've been noticing a shift in my OPD. More and more patients seem to be presenting with non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and even various cancers. These conditions no longer feel like occasional finding, they are becoming a significant part of everyday clinical practice across different age groups.
While communicable diseases remain important, Nepal appears to be undergoing a significant shift in disease patterns. National data suggest that over 70% of deaths are now due to non-communicable diseases, and from my own OPD experience, these conditions are becoming an increasingly common part of everyday clinical practice.
It makes me wonder, are we seeing more of these conditions because we have better access to investigations and health screening? Or have changes in diet, physical activity, stress levels, urbanization, and lifestyle significantly altered the health profile of our communities? Perhaps it's a combination of both.
Research has long highlighted the growing burden of non-communicable diseases globally, but witnessing this shift firsthand in the OPD makes those statistics feel much more real.
For those working in healthcare, public health, or even within your own communities, have you noticed a similar trend? What factors do you think are driving this change?