Journalists’ Workshop/Call for sustainable financing to tackle hypertension

Hypertension tops the list of diseases in Bangladesh. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, account for approximately 571,000 deaths in the country every year. The government’s recent increase in the health budget is a welcome step towards improving public health.

However, allocating a significant portion of the increased budget to hypertension control could help reduce the risk of hypertension-related NCDs and prevent deaths associated with these diseases. Such demands were raised today (Sunday,18 October) at a journalist workshop titled “Sustainable Financing for Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: 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 according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025, hypertension ranks first among the country’s top 10 diseases. In 2024, approximately 283,800 people died from cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh, with hypertension accounting for 52% of these deaths. Of particular concern, hypertension is becoming increasingly common among young people. According to the Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2018, approximately 12% of the population aged 18-39 years were found hypertensive.

Md. Riad Arafin, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing), Essential Drugs Company Limited, said, “Increasing the health budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is an important step by the government. If the increased allocation is prioritized for hypertension control, it will be possible to ensure an uninterrupted supply of free medicines for marginalized communities.”

Doulot Akter Mala, President, Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF), stated, “Non-communicable diseases account for 71% of all deaths in the country, yet only 4.2% of the health budget is allocated to this sector. The media can play an important role in highlighting the need for increased allocations.”

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, GHAI, said, “Hypertension affects more people in the country than any other disease. Sustainable financing is essential to control it.”

The workshop was chaired by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, while Samiha Bintay Kamal, Program Officer, PROGGA, delivered the thematic presentation.