LIFESTYLE diseases have become the terrifying new killers of Papua New Guineans.
The figures for deaths caused by diabetes, stroke, and heart attack are frighteningly high, according to cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Noah Tapaua.
Dr Noah Tapaua said lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases (NCD) have surpassed infectious diseases as the biggest killers.
He said patients suffering from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack come for checkups almost daily at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
He said they are seeing an increasing number of coronary heart disease patients from the younger population bracket at hospitals.
“Coronary artery disease is caused by the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the walls of the heart’s arteries,” Dr Tapaua said.
To emphasise the gravity of the new trend, Port Moresby General Hospital CEO Dr Paki Molumi said modernization comes with its problems.
“Lifestyle or non-communicable diseases are increasing exponentially as Papua New Guineans adopt a western lifestyle and move away from the traditional food diet to modern processed food.
This is compounded by the lack of exercise, increased smoking, and alcohol intake.
“NCD is common among middle-class educated elites of the Nation who contribute to the growth of the country.
“The country is faced with a risk of losing our educated elites to NCD, which will be detrimental to our development aspirations as a country.”
The top five leading NCDs in hospital admissions and death, both inpatient and on arrival to the emergency department of PMGH, including around the country, are stroke and heart disease, and the economic loss to looking after a stroke patient is huge.
Following these are cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Most NCD deaths are from cardiovascular diseases, which is about 44 percent, followed by cancer with 22 percent, chronic respiratory diseases with 20 percent, and diabetes with 14 percent.
And the risk of premature death from NCDs among those aged 30 to 70 years is around 36 percent.
From 2022, hospital admission data for four NCDs, cancer accounted for half of the admissions with 52 percent, followed by diabetes with 20 percent, hypertension with 19 percent, and ischaemic heart disease with nine percent.
“When you look at the disease trend in the country and city, the lifestyle diseases are increasing at a faster rate than the infectious diseases like malaria, typhoid, pneumonia, and others.
“Our people are dying of heart attack, stroke, and cancer at young ages. The most common form of cancers for women in PNG is breast and cervical cancers.
“This has a huge emotional, mental, and economic impact on families, communities, and the country.
“Lifestyle factors are key, and we must revert to healthy lifestyles where we eat natural food and exercise,” he said.
To address the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases in PNG, a new project will be launched this week to raise awareness and improve efforts in screening, diagnosis, and management to help reduce the overall NCD burden.
Under the Health Department and other partners, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the George Institute and the University of New South Wales, Australia, the Program RESist NCD is a public health initiative developed in response to the alarming rise of NCDs in PNG.
According to health experts, in PNG, lifestyle diseases are a growing concern, and are now estimated to be responsible for 50 per cent of all hospital deaths.
This signifies a significant shift from predominantly infectious diseases, which were previously the leading cause of mortality. Specifically, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are major contributors to NCD-related deaths and hospital admissions.
Key Statistics and Trends:
Shift in Mortality:
Lifestyle diseases have surpassed infectious diseases as the primary cause of death in PNG hospitals.
Leading Lifestyle Diseases:
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the primary causes of death from lifestyle diseases.
Age Demographics:
A concerning trend is that lifestyle diseases are affecting younger and more productive individuals in PNG.
Risk Factors:
Prevalence of risk factors like obesity, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and unhealthy lifestyle choices (smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet) are on the rise.
Regional Variations:
Specific risk factors and the prevalence of NCDs can vary across different communities within PNG.
Financial Implications:
Lifestyle diseases can be costly to manage, with treatment options often requiring specialized care and overseas travel.
Specific Diseases:
Stroke is highlighted as a leading cause of death from lifestyle diseases, with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attack also being significant contributors.
Need for Intervention:
The rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases necessitates multisectoral preventive interventions and improved healthcare services.
Impact on Healthcare:
Increased Strain on Hospitals:
The shift towards lifestyle diseases is placing a growing burden on PNG’s healthcare system, including Port Moresby General Hospital.
Financial Burden:
The cost of treating lifestyle diseases, particularly for individuals with limited resources, is a significant concern.
Need for Specialised Care:
There’s a growing need for specialised healthcare facilities within PNG to address the increasing number of patients with lifestyle diseases.