Public health experts have urged the government to make hypertension medication available at grass root level.
A two-day long workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension and Heart Health” held at the conference room of Bangladesh Institute of Planners on Wednesday.
Experts emphasize how the government should give priority to preventing hypertension as it can silently damage different parts of the body.
Blood pressure measurement and availability of hypertension medicines must be ensured in all community clinics in Bangladesh in order to combat the disease, said experts.
Referring to various studies, they said one in every five adults in Bangladesh is suffering from hypertension and most of them are unaware that they have hypertension.
The workshop was organized by research and advocacy organization Progga (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
Thirty journalists hailing from print, television, and online media houses participated at the workshop.
Referring to “Bangladesh NCD Steps Survey, 2018”, it was informed at the workshop that less than one in every seven people has been able to keep their condition under control by taking medications, said experts.
Prof SM Mustafa Zaman of Department of Cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said: “Hypertension is one of the three major reasons for death and disability in Bangladesh. However, only 29% of healthcare facilities have trained workers. "
Among the others, Dr Syed Mahfuzul Huq, national professional officer at WHO, Prof Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of Department of Epidemiology & Research, National Heart Foundation, Prof Malay Kanti Mridha, director of Center for Non-Communicable Disease and Nutrition, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, and ABM Zubair, executive director at Progga, were present at the workshops as discussants.