Staff Reporter :
About 1900 people die everyday from non-communicable diseases in the country, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque.
He said that non-communicable diseases are increasing in the country constantly.
He said, about 10,0000 normal deaths take place every year in the country, whereas, about 70pc of those which is about seven lakh are caused by non-communicable diseases, the health minister said.
The minister said it while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar held at a Dhaka hotel on Thursday.
“Every year one million people in the country die of natural causes, and of them 70pc die of non-communicable diseases. Non-transmissible ailments claim 1,900 lives daily,” the minister said.
The country’s healthcare system had kept contagious diseases in
control, but the number of patients suffering from non-communicable diseases had increased, the minister added.
“Preparations were made to deal with infectious diseases. We are dealing with TB, cholera and diarrhea. These diseases are now under control. But non-communicable diseases are yet to be controlled,” the minister said.
The minister blamed pollution as a big reason for the deaths and increasing trend of non-communicable diseases. He said that unhealthy lifestyle and diet were also contributing factors of deahts.
The number of people with mental illnesses was also increasing due to excess use of mobile phone, computer and TV, he said, adding that treatment of such afflictions was expensive.
“Where healthcare systems are not good, infrastructures might not be well there. Pure medicines and health workers also required for good healthcare systems. Better service requires research. Correct decisions are made through research, and it also makes policy-making easier for checking diseases,” he said.
