Dhaka: Health experts at a workshop today highlighted that the high blood pressure control rate in some regions of Bangladesh increased from 15 percent to 56 percent between 2019 and 2025. This accomplishment is seen as a positive development.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh has recently emerged as a successful example in the World Health Organization’s second global report on high blood pressure. Despite this progress, experts noted that a quarter of the country’s population still suffers from the disease. The workshop titled ‘Controlling High Blood Pressure in Bangladesh: Progress, Obstacles and Doings’ was held at the BMA Bhaban in the capital.
The event was organized by Pragya (Knowledge for Progress) in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and was attended by 23 journalists from various media outlets. The speakers emphasized that although there has been progress in controlling blood pressure, further actions are necessary to address the issue as Bangladesh continues to face a significant number of patients affected by high blood pressure.
During the workshop, it was noted that high blood pressure has become a serious public health problem in the country. Dr. Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Directorate General of Health Services, mentioned facing budgetary and management constraints in providing medicines for high blood pressure and other non-communicable diseases, expressing hope for overcoming these challenges soon.
Md. Riyad Arefin, Deputy General Manager (Sales and Marketing) of Essential Drugs Company Limited, stated their commitment to ensuring a timely supply of high blood pressure medicines to NCD corners and community clinics, particularly for marginalized communities in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The workshop also featured discussions with Dhaka Tribune Editor Riaz Ahmed, GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, and Pragya Executive Director ABM Zubair. Pragya Coordinator Sadia Galiba Probha delivered a thematic presentation during the event.