Chronic diseases cast severe financial impacts on the population and push the households from poverty to deprivation. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) impose a huge burden on human health worldwide. Currently, 63% of all deaths worldwide are caused by NCDs which include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), alongside injuries and mental health issues, now make up half of the Burden of Disease (BoD), leading to significant disabilities and premature deaths among economically active adults. Key factors like lifestyle, nutrition, and smoking, which contribute to NCDs, haven’t received sufficient attention. Injuries represent over 5.2% of the total BoD and are expected to increase due to factors like rising road traffic, urbanization, conflict, and civil unrest in Balochistan.

Pakistan ranks 7th highest globally in diabetes prevalence. One in four adults over 18 years old has hypertension, with high levels of smoking (38% among men and 7% among women). The burden of cancers and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is rising but remains largely unaddressed. Factors like poverty, low literacy, unemployment, gender discrimination, and a significant treatment gap contribute to a hidden burden of mental health issues in society. Disabilities due to blindness and other causes are also prevalent, with limited services available, including assistive devices to enhance quality of life. The four major NCD groups – cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes – account for over 80% of deaths.

The Provincial Program Implementation-Balochistan (PPI-B) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities aimed at preventing and controlling NCDs, related risk

factors, disabilities, and mental, neurological, and substance abuse disorders. These activities are tailored to fit the culture and society effectively. PPI-B also works on raising community and public awareness about the burden of common NCDs, related risk factors, mental health conditions, and spearheads collaborative efforts across sectors to reduce risks and disease burden, thus enhancing the overall physical, mental, and social well-being of the population.

In 2023, NCDs accounted for more than 24.81% of the total disease burden at Health Facilities and Basic Health Units (HF/BHUs). However, it’s noted that anemia, muscular, and skeletal diseases are currently not being adequately reported in monthly BHU reports. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 17.71%, diabetes mellitus 1.10%, neuro-psychiatric diseases 4.9%, and road accidents 2.9% of the total BoD. Other significant issues include rheumatoid arthritis, causes of blindness, and mental conditions associated with aging (geriatric problems), which are challenging to treat. Health education campaigns are seen as the most promising approach to prevent these diseases from occurring, with effective promotion of healthy lifestyles being crucial in controlling NCDs.