World Health Day 2025 was observed with a focus on the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” To mark the occasion, PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) hosted a webinar titled “Controlling Hypertension to Safeguard Public Health: Bangladesh Perspective” on 9 April, with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
Experts at the webinar highlighted the alarming prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for 71% of total deaths in Bangladesh. Despite this, only 4.2% of the national health budget is allocated for combating NCDs. They called for an urgent increase in funding in the FY 2025-26 budget to address the growing health crisis.
A 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) outlined Bangladesh’s goal to ensure that 80% of health facilities are equipped with essential medicines for treating significant NCDs by 2025. However, the report noted that existing allocations and utilization of funds fall short of the requirements to meet this target.
Dr. Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Line Director of Community-Based Health Care (CBHC), stated, “The government has initiated the distribution of anti-hypertensive medicines through Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes. While there is a slight shortage at present, efforts are underway to resolve it.”
Speakers also emphasized the importance of making free medicines accessible across all regions and sustaining funding to ensure availability. Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, President Elect of the Public Health Association of Bangladesh, stressed the need for dietary and lifestyle modifications alongside increased budgets to curb hypertension prevalence.
Research presented by Dr. Malay Kanti Mridha, Professor at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, showed significant disparities in hypertension prevalence based on region, age, education, and gender. He called for tailored preventive and curative measures based on these findings.
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, urged the government to prioritize anti-hypertensive medicine availability at Upazila Health Complexes and Community Clinics by increasing budgetary allocations.
The webinar, chaired by PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair and moderated by Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova, was attended by professionals from various fields across Bangladesh. The event underscored the critical need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle hypertension and safeguard public health.
