Nepal, Nov. 19 -- In December 2024 and January 2025, Kathmandu Metropolitan City conducted a health screening of more than 26,000 people to assess their blood sugar levels, hypertension, behavioural risk factors and renal function. What was reportedly a "random" blood sugar test for 19,660 people however revealed an alarming situation: 22 percent of Kathmanduites over 30 had high blood sugar, according to the preliminary report of the screening. The figure is nearly three times the estimated national average of 8 percent. Even more concerning is the fact that diabetes among the young population is rising, yet many are unaware of it.

Globally, the number of people with diabetes soared to 830 million in 2022 from 200 million in 1990, accor...