Experts at a discussion on Thursday said that premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can be significantly reduced by controlling hypertension alone.
The discussion, titled “Hypertension Situation in Bangladesh and Way Forward,” was held at Dhaka’s BMA Bhaban.
Doctors and professionals, at the discussion, raised concerns over the growing prevalence of hypertension and related NCDs in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
The experts applauded the government’s initiatives to control hypertension but stressed that ensuring an uninterrupted supply of medicine across the country remains a challenge.
They recommended allocating necessary funding for this sector in the upcoming budget for FY2024-2025.
During the discussion, it was highlighted that one in every four adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension, which is a major risk factor for various non-communicable diseases including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
According to WHO’s first Global Report (2023) on hypertension, 2,73,000 people died of cardiovascular disease in 2019 in Bangladesh, with 54 per cent of these fatalities attributable to hypertension.
Despite non-communicable diseases accounting for 70 per cent of total deaths in Bangladesh, the budgetary allocation dedicated to combating NCDs is alarmingly low, comprising only 4.2 per cent of the total health budget.
Emeritus Professor Dr ABM Abdullah, personal physician to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said at the discussion meeting, “Controlling hypertension can significantly curb the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The Government of Bangladesh has already decided to provide anti-hypertensive medicine from community clinics, which is highly commendable. However, necessary budgetary allocation must be ensured to keep the supply of the medicine uninterrupted.”
Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Health Economics Unit, Health Services Division, Dr Md Enamul Haque, said, “Research shows that investing Tk 1 in hypertension screening and medicines can yield an overall benefit worth Tk 18. Hypertension-related non-communicable diseases can be brought under control through increased investment and its effective utilization.”
The discussion was organised on the occasion of World Hypertension Day by the research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
This year, World Hypertension Day will be observed under the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”
Dr Laila Akhter, director, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), Professor Dr SM Mustafa Zaman, Department of Cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and president, Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Professor Dr Syed Abdul Hamid, Institute of Health Economics, Dhaka University, Professor Dr Khaleda Islam, director, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Dhaka University, Professor Dr Malay Kanti Mridha, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health of BRAC University spoke among others.
