Staff Correspondent

The prevalence of hypertension has reached an alarming level in Bangladesh. According to the latest information, one in every four adults suffers from hypertension at present, an upward trend from the previous prevalence of one in five. To tackle the prevailing situation, provision of free anti-hypertensive medicine has already started at the grassroots level. However, it is essential to ensure the availability of anti-hypertensive medicine in all Community Clinics to effectively control the prevalence of this disease. At the same time, allocation of sufficient funds is crucial to ensure adequate production of medicines to meet the demand.

These information and recommendations were highlighted at a workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress and Way Forward” held at a hotel in Chattogram metropolis on Skundsy.

The workshop was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). A total of twenty-seven journalists from Chattogram division working in print, electronic, and online media houses participated in the workshop.

It was informed at the workshop that hypertension is responsible for various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes. These NCDs account for 71 percent of the total deaths in Bangladesh. Despite the worrying prevalence of NCDs, budgetary allocation dedicated to combat it comprises only 4.2 percent of the total health budget. In fact, the government's health budgetary support is one of the lowest in the WHO South-East Asia region. Ensuring the availability of anti-hypertensive medicine at the grassroots level, along with increased allocation for this sector, can be a cost-effective approach to reduce non-communicable diseases and premature deaths.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI; Saiful Alam, Central Committee Member of Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) and Chief Reporter of Daily Purbokone; Alamgir Sabuj, Convener of ATMA’s Chattogram Chapter and Divisional Correspondent of Independent TV; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA were present at the event as discussants. PROGGA’s Director Md. Shahedul Alam and Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova delivered presentations on hypertension control.