Nepal Faces Severe Shortage of Cardiac Specialists Amid Rising Heart Disease Cases

Kathmandu. The number of heart patients is increasing with unhealthy lifestyles and changes in diet. While the number of patients with heart-related health problems is on the rise, there is an extreme shortage of heart disease specialists.

According to the annual report of the Nepal Medical Council until Chaitra 2082, the number of specialized heart disease specialists in Nepal is extremely low. Out of a total of 13,034 specialist doctors registered with the council, there are only 141 heart disease specialists, including 130 male doctors and 11 female doctors.

Similarly, in cardiac surgery, only 10 are registered in Cardiac Surgery and 27 in Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery. There is an extreme crisis of specialist manpower while heart patients are increasing across the country.

Heart disease specialist Dr. Anil Bhattarai said that while around 80,000 heart surgeries should be performed annually in Nepal, only about two to two and a half thousand surgeries are currently being performed. He stated that heart centers should be established in every province as the number of heart patients is increasing.

Dr. Bhattarai said, 'About 80,000 heart surgeries should be performed annually in Nepal, but currently only two to two and a half thousand people are undergoing surgery. The situation is very difficult.'

Looking at the proportion of the total number of specialist doctors registered with the Nepal Medical Council, the manpower for treating heart disease is in a very pathetic state. Among the specialists registered with the council so far, only slightly more than 1% or 141 heart disease specialists are available in the field of Cardiology.

Stakeholders say that with the rapid population growth and changing lifestyles, the number of heart patients is increasing exponentially, and with only a handful of specialist doctors across the country, it will be difficult for the general public to access heart health treatment.

According to specialists, heart disease is generally any problem in the heart that can be resolved with immediate attention, but if neglected, it can become a long-term problem.

Recently, heart patients are being seen in every household. According to the World Heart Federation, 17.5 million people worldwide suffer from some form of heart disease annually. Non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, are causing a large number of deaths worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, heart disease now accounts for about 50% of deaths in developed countries and 25% in developing countries.

The organization estimates that by 2030, deaths from heart disease alone will reach 25 million annually worldwide. According to the Nepal Heart Foundation, it is estimated that 20% of the total population in Nepal currently has heart disease. About 30% of adults suffer from high blood pressure. 20% have cholesterol, and 6% have diabetes. According to the foundation, rheumatic heart disease is increasing among children. It has been found that 90% of people in Nepal do not eat heart-friendly food.

According to specialist doctors, people with heart problems are treated with medication, cath lab, or surgery. Specialists say that patients in the first stage are generally treated with medication, those with more problems are treated using cath lab procedures, and patients with severe heart disease undergo surgery.

According to heart disease specialist Dr. Anil Bhattarai, the reason for the increase in heart patients is stressful life along with changes in diet. He said, 'The number of patients appears high due to increased diagnosis rates. Earlier, there were not many such specialists and heart centers in the country. Now their numbers have also increased, which has led to an increase in diagnosis.'

Dr. Bhattarai stated that the current changes in lifestyle, changes in diet, stressful life, and various types of stress in professional life are contributing factors. He clarified that cardiovascular disease has now become the number one cause of death worldwide.

'A while ago, cancer or other diseases were prevalent in the world. Now, cardiovascular diseases (diseases related to the heart and blood vessels) account for one-third, or 30%, of all deaths worldwide,' he said.

Therefore, he advised that heart check-ups should be done after the age of 30. 'Earlier, it was said that one should get their heart checked after turning 40, but now it should be done after turning 30,' said Dr. Bhattarai. He added that alcohol consumption gradually weakens the heart.