Dhaka: Discussants at a meeting today highlighted their serious concerns over the growing prevalence of hypertension and related fatalities in Bangladesh, making urgent calls for sustainable funding to ensure uninterrupted access to anti-hypertensive medication nationwide. They also emphasized that while the government has started free distribution of essential hypertension drugs, the lack of a secured financial framework continues to pose a challenge in maintaining accessibility across the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting titled “Prioritizing Hypertension Control: Bangladesh Perspective” was organized in the capital’s BMA Bhaban, marking World Hypertension Day with the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”. Research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), organized the meeting.
At the discussion meeting, experts highlighted that one in every four adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension, a condition responsible for a range of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, kidney disorders, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. These diseases collectively account for 71 percent of all deaths nationwide.
Despite the severity of the issue, the budget allocation for combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains critically low, standing at just 4.2 percent of the total health budget. Experts emphasized the urgent need for increased financial support to address this growing health crisis effectively.
Speaking at the event, Md Khorshed Alam, Managing Director, Community Clinic Health Support Trust (CCHST), stated that to reduce the prevalence of hypertension and various other non-communicable diseases, healthcare programs that prioritize grassroots community are essential.
Dr Md Enamul Haque, Director General, Health Economics Unit (HEU), noted the importance of not only increasing the budget for controlling hypertension but also ensuring effective utilization of the allocated budget. He also stressed the need for preventive and awareness initiatives.
Md. Mamunur Rashid, Joint Secretary (WHO Wing), Health Services Division (HSD), mentioned that the Ministry of Health is actively working to ensure the availability of essential medicines across all healthcare facilities.
Professor Dr Liaquat Ali, Member of the Health Sector Reform Commission (HSRC), conveyed that the HSRC has recommended making primary healthcare free through legislation, along with ensuring the availability of medicines by increasing the capacity of the Essential Drugs Company Limited.