According to the Health and Morbidity Status Survey-2025 by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), hypertension ranks first among the top 10 diseases in Bangladesh. The availability of anti-hypertensive drugs must be ensured in all community clinics and Upazila Health Complexes across the country by maintaining uninterrupted production and supply of medicines. Such demands were raised today (23 December 2025) at a journalists’ workshop titled “Hypertension Control: Progress, Barriers, and the Way Forward”, held at the BMA Bhaban in the capital. The workshop was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with the support of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). A total of 28 journalists working in print, television, and online media participated in the event.
At the workshop, it was informed that although non-communicable diseases account for 71 percent of total deaths in the country, budget allocation for this sector remains very limited. According to the World Bank report, less than 5 percent of the government’s total health financing is allocated to non-communicable diseases- a shortfall that has become a major barrier to effective control of hypertension. On the other hand, it was noted in the workshop that the allocated funds are often not utilized properly.
The speakers stated that ensuring regular treatment services, and the availability of medicines at all community clinics and Upazila Health Complexes at the grassroots level would significantly reduce hypertension-related illness and mortality, as well as lower the government’s long-term healthcare expenditure. The workshop called for all relevant stakeholders to work collectively with the government to prevent and control hypertension.
Dr. Geeta Rani Devi of the Community Clinic Health Support Trust (CCHST) said, “The government is working to deliver anti-hypertensive medicines to the grassroots level. Gradually, we will be able to ensure the availability of these medicines at all community clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.”
Md. Riad Arefin, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing), Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), said, “Ensuring uninterrupted production and supply of anti-hypertensive medicines is one of our key priorities. We hope that very soon we will be able to ensure the supply of these medicines to all community clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.”
Zahirul Alam, Head of News & Current Affairs, Channel 24; Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, GHAI; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, were also present as discussants. A presentation on hypertension control was delivered at the workshop by PROGGA’s Program Officer, Samiha Bintay Kamal.
