Imagine discovering that nearly a quarter of adults in your city are living with a silent yet deadly condition, and many don’t even know it. That’s the stark reality in Kathmandu, where a recent health screening revealed that 22% of residents over 30 have high blood sugar levels—nearly triple the national average. But here’s where it gets even more alarming: diabetes is no longer just a disease of the elderly. It’s creeping into the lives of younger people, often unnoticed, and it’s not just Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes we’re talking about. A new, lesser-known form called mid-point diabetes (Type 5), linked to chronic undernutrition, is emerging in low- and middle-income countries, adding another layer to this growing crisis.
Globally, the numbers are staggering. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that diabetes cases skyrocketed from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022. While it’s increasingly prevalent in developing nations, the misconception that diabetes only affects older adults persists. And this is the part most people miss: the WHO warns that diabetes is now striking at younger ages, even in childhood. Yet, many remain complacent, unaware of how their lifestyle choices—like overindulging in processed foods, leading sedentary lives, and ignoring stress—are fueling this epidemic.
In Nepal, the situation is particularly dire. Healthcare experts link the surge in diabetes among young people to poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, and rising stress levels. Worse, many diabetics delay treatment, risking severe complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, or even death. While individual choices play a role, the lack of government intervention in early detection and accessible screening programs is a glaring issue. Here’s the controversial part: despite diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for 73% of Nepal’s total deaths, the government’s health budget for NCDs remains woefully inadequate. For instance, the previous administration allocated a mere Rs21.1 million for NCDs—a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem.
Kathmandu’s recent screening initiative is a step in the right direction, but it’s just the beginning. Regular, nationwide health screenings are urgently needed to detect diabetes early and prevent its devastating consequences. If left unchecked, the healthcare system could collapse under the weight of skyrocketing diabetes care costs. So, here’s the question: Are we doing enough to combat this silent epidemic, or are we waiting for it to spiral out of control? Let’s start the conversation—what do you think?
