RAWALPINDI, Nov 11: Chronic diseases are projected to rise and account for almost 50 per cent of all deaths in the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that over six million people are likely to die from such diseases in the next 10 years.

The WHO report on chronic diseases said these diseases created adverse economic effects and in 2005 alone, Pakistan was estimated to lose one billion dollars from premature deaths due to heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

These losses are now projected to increase and the country was likely to lose 31 billion dollars over the next 10 due to this.

The report, however, estimates that an additional two per cent annual reduction in national level chronic disease related death rates over the next 10 years would result in an economic gain of one billion dollars.

The report said deaths from infections, maternal and pre-natal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies would increase by 12 per cent by 2015.

Deaths from chronic diseases have been projected to increase by 27 per cent, most markedly, from diabetes, which would increase by 51 per cent, according to the report.

The report termed obesity as the major cause of chronic diseases and is prevalence, in both men and women aged over 30 years, was also expected to increase.

In 2005, only 20 per cent men were overweight but this figure will rise to 29 per cent by 2015. While 31 per cent women were overweight in 2005, by 2015, 41 per cent would be so.

At least 80 per cent cases of premature heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and 10 per cent cancer cases could be prevented through a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco products.

The report emphasised that cost-effective interventions exited and had worked in many countries.