Maldives’ high mortality from non-communicable diseases could be due to lack of exercise: WHO

World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that Maldives has the highest mortality from non-communicable diseases in South East Asia, which could be a result of the increasing number of vehicles on the roads - or lack of exercise.

Visiting WHO Regional Director for South East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said this at a press conference at Traders Hotel today.

“…Third, the number of deaths from non-communicable diseases. In the whole South East Asia region, Maldives has the highest mortality from non-communicable diseases, and that is also something that needs to be looked at very carefully. Why is it so? There are several reasons. Perhaps as I said, you see more vehicles on the roads, people have given up walking the way they used to, and that could be one reason, because there are four risk factors for non-communicable diseases. One is alcohol, two is smoking, three is unhealthy diets, and four is lack of exercise.”

She further said that Maldives needs to focus on the increased prevalence of smoking.

“Our latest WHO polls show that about 40 percent of the population of Maldives is smoking. If 40 percent is smoking, you can think of the effect on the population of those who are not smoking and yet are getting affected by second-hand smoke. This is something that Maldives needs to focus on.”

While this is her first visit to the Maldives since she assumed the post of WHO regional director for South East Asia, Dr Singh has visited Maldives several times before.

“I am no stranger to Maldives. I’ve been coming here for several years. In fact, over the last 15 years, I’ve made several visits to Maldives. Each time I come t Maldives I find some kind of a transition.”