Rajshahi: Health experts unanimously stated that raising awareness among the public will be the crucial means of reducing mortalities caused by non-communicable diseases (NCD), particularly hypertension and diabetes to a great extent. The government has opened NCD corners at many Upazila Health Complexes, providing healthcare and distributing free medicines to patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes. Emphasis is placed on reaching these services to grassroots levels, with community health service providers playing a key role.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, medical practitioners and experts shared these insights during a training workshop for community health service providers focused on strengthening referral systems for NCD patients and providing lifestyle advice. The workshop, organized by the NCD Control Programme of the Ministry of Health and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB), was supported by Resolve to Safe Life and held at Tanore Upazila Health Complex.
The training highlighted hypertension as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh, affecting one in five adults. Contributing factors include hypertension, diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, fast food consumption, soft drinks, drug use, and alcohol. Dr. Barnabas Hasdak emphasized lifestyle modifications, proper control of blood glucose and hypertension, and treatment of lipid disorders as vital in managing heart attack and stroke risks.
Ehsanul Amin of NHFB explained their initiatives to raise awareness through health camps, seminars, and workshops across 25 upazilas in Rajshahi, Pabna, and Sirajganj districts. They extend their reach to rural areas, distributing informational materials and providing free or subsidized testing during awareness campaigns.
Ehsanul Amin also stressed the importance of regular exercise, balanced diets, stress management, and regular health check-ups to control hypertension, while highlighting risk factors such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Around 40 participants, including community health service providers and representatives of NCD corners, attended the training session.