• Speakers at journalists’ workshop

Swarnomoyee Mostafa Oishy

The number of people suffering from hypertension in Bangladesh is increasing rapidly. The latest Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2022 shows that one in every four adults suffers from hypertension at present, an upward trend from the previous prevalence of one in five. To combat the current prevalence of hypertension, it is essential to ensure the availability of anti-hypertensive drugs in all healthcare facilities at the grassroots level. At the same time, sustainable funding is required for an uninterrupted supply of the medicine, said a press release.

Such recommendations were highlighted at a workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress and Way Forward” held at the capital’s BMA Bhaban on Tuesday, October 22. The workshop was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). Twenty-six journalists working in print, television and online media participated in the workshop.

It was informed at the workshop that NCDs, such as heart diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and hypertension, are the most prevalent causes of death in Bangladesh and account for 70% of the total deaths. However, the budgetary allocation dedicated to combat NCDs is alarmingly low, comprising only 4.2 percent of the total health budget. The risk of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases cannot be effectively addressed without increasing allocation in this sector.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, Zahirul Alam, Head of News, NTV and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA were also present at the event as discussants. PROGGA’s Director Md. Shahedul Alam and Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova delivered presentations on hypertension control.