A significant portion of the population in Bangladesh is suffering from hypertension, a silent killer. While the provision of free medicine has already commenced to combat the prevalence of hypertension, ensuring its availability in all healthcare facilities at the grassroots level is essential to effectively control hypertension-related non-communicable diseases and deaths. At the same time, sustainable funding is required for an uninterrupted supply of the medicine. 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 Monday, September 23. 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 one in every four adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension and it is one of the major risk factors for various non-communicable diseases including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes. Ensuring the availability of anti-hypertensive medicine at the grassroots level along with increased allocation to effectively address hypertension can prevent heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. Research shows that investing Tk 1 for hypertension screening and medicines can yield an overall benefit worth Tk 18.

Dr. Md. Quiume Talukder, Line Director (CBHC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said at the workshop, “We have already taken the initiative to provide anti-hypertensive medicines from the Community Clinics of two-thirds of the Upazilas across the country.”

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, Rashada Akter Shimul, Senior News Editor of Ekhon TV 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.