indiaUpdated: Sep 15, 2020 05:56 ISTForgotten diseases have hit the poorest billion the hardest during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new Lancet Commission report. It says that for the first time, non-communicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) caused more deaths and disability at every age among the world’s poorest billion than in wealthy countries. Among the poorest billion, people with a diverse set of severe NCDs – such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatic and congenital heart disease, and paediatric cancers – live 20 fewer healthy years than in high-income countries. Yet less than $100 million – or just 0.3% of development assistance for health – is allocated to NCDIs among countries that are home to the poorest. “Managing non-communicable diseases is on top of the government agenda... early detection and putting patients on treatment in time is crucial in reducing the overall economic burden in the long run,” said a health ministry official.

Source: Hindustan Times September 15, 2020 00:27 UTC