In a landmark step in tackling hypertension at the grassroots level, the government has decided to provide the medicine for hypertension in the drug list of community clinics.
The decision will have an effective impact to control hypertension-related non-communicable diseases and deaths associated with it across the country by ensuring free anti-hypertensive medicine for the marginalized population.
However, sector specialists think that budget allocation must be increased in this sector to ensure an uninterrupted supply of the medicine at community clinics and upazila health complexes.
Speakers highlighted these issues at a workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh” held at the capital’s BMA Bhaban on Tuesday.
According to a recent study, one in every four adults in Bangladesh is suffering from hypertension.
According to WHO’s first Global Report on Hypertension 2023, the rate of treated people with hypertension is only 38%.
The report also revealed that 273,000 people died of cardiovascular disease in 2019 in Bangladesh and 54% of these fatalities were attributable to hypertension.
Zakir Hossain, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing) of Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) presented a study report at the workshop, titled “The availability of hypertension medicine from all Community Clinics will be ensured from the upcoming fiscal year.”
Dr Shamim Jubayer, program manager, Hypertension Control Program, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute said: “Simply reducing salt intake can greatly reduce the risk of hypertension.”
According to a WHO report, four out of every five people with hypertension are not adequately treated.
However, 76 million deaths could be averted by 2050 if treatment facilities are scaled up.
The workshop was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
Twenty-two journalists working in print, television and online media participated in the workshop
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI; Obaidul Kabir, Executive Editor, Daily Janakantha; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA were also present at the event.