Public health experts have called for an increased budgetary allocation to address hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for 71% of total deaths in Bangladesh.
The demand was raised during a two-day workshop titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress and Way Forward,” organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), reads a press release.
Held at the BMA Bhaban in the capital on 18-19 March, the workshop brought together 26 journalists from print, television, and online media. Experts emphasized the urgent need to prioritize hypertension control in the upcoming FY 2025-26 national budget, given that only 4.2% of the health budget is currently allocated to combat NCDs.
One in four adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension, a major risk factor for several NCDs, according to the workshop. While the provision of free anti-hypertensive medicines has begun, experts stressed the importance of ensuring these medicines’ availability at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes, alongside sustainable funding for their distribution.
A 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) report highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to combating NCDs as part of Primary Health Care (PHC). However, the report noted significant gaps in budget allocations and fund utilization, with the continuous supply of medicines remaining a critical challenge.
Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Health Economics Unit (HEU), said, “In addition to increasing budgetary allocation to tackle non-communicable diseases, it is also crucial to ensure effective implementation of the allocated funds.”
Professor Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid of the Institute of Health Economics at Dhaka University underscored the need to strengthen public awareness, enhance screening programs, and ensure the availability of essential medicines at government hospitals. “Increasing the budget allocation is crucial to prevent and control NCDs,” he said.
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, emphasized the impact of accessible treatment, stating, “By ensuring anti-hypertensive medicine in all Upazila Health Complexes and Community Clinics, substantial reductions in hypertension and NCD prevalence can be achieved.”
Other notable speakers included Dr. Mohammad Shawkat Hossain Khan, Program Manager at HEU; Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, Program Manager at Community-Based Health Care (CBHC), DGHS; Dr. Md. Maruf Haque Khan, Department of Public Health & Informatics at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU); and Morshed Noman, Acting Editor of Bangladesh First.
The workshop also featured presentations on hypertension control by PROGGA’s Director Md. Shahedul Alam and Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova.
Experts collectively urged the government to increase funding for hypertension control and ensure its effective utilization, emphasizing that prioritizing NCD prevention is essential for improving public health and achieving sustainable development in Bangladesh.
