Non communicable diseases in Pakistan: Burden, challenges and way forward for health care authorities

Pakistan will be celebrating its 67th year of independence this year. As the country undergoes economic development, the changing lifestyles have resulted in a transition in the health profile of the population. According to World Health Organization (WHO) under 5 year mortality is 86 per 1000 live births. Maternal and Child health and infectious diseases have been the top priority for a decade.1 During the last decade there has been a gradual shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (including stroke and heart disease), diabetes, mental health disorders, cancers, and chronic airway diseases.