Rohit Shishodia
Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, has said that treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) should never be neglected at the time of Covid pandemic.

In a message on the eve of Independence Day, calling NCDs a 'silent killer', Dr Reddy said NCDs, which include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and respiratory ailments, pose a bigger threat to the future of humanity and account for close to 80 per cent of global mortality.

“Bearing this hard reality in mind, it is very important that patients battling chronic diseases do not neglect their health any longer on account of the pandemic and seek timely medical attention. Further, a delay could also lead to emergencies on account of uncontrolled progression of NCDs, choking the medical ecosystem in our country,” he advised.

 “Overcoming this crisis and a resolute determination to be free from NCDs must be our collective goal on Independence Day 2020. Just as we are combating Covid-19, similarly, a war against NCDs must be an equally important imperative for India as the prevalence of these diseases is becoming younger,” he added.

According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030, the global economic impact would be over $30 trillion and India’s share in it could be around $ 3.8 trillion, unless remedial action is taken up rightaway to mitigate the loss of lives due to NCDs. A silent crisis for the country, NCDs can lead to serious socioeconomic consequences and an adverse impact on the GDP.

Dr Reddy pointed out that it has been an unprecedented medical crisis, the number of Covid-19 cases recorded worldwide has passed the 18 million mark and understandably, there is great amount of fear and anxiety.

“Yet, we must be hopeful, as scientists are working against the clock at an indescribable pace, to develop a vaccine. India is at the forefront of this effort with several companies having made excellent progress and I am optimistic that within a year, we will have a vaccine,” he added.