A seminar titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress and Way Forward” was held at BMA Bhaban in the capital today. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, March 19, 2025 (BSS) – Public health experts at a seminar today called for a higher budget allocation for the health sector, particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), saying the current funds for tackling NCDs is worryingly inadequate, despite hypertension and other NCDs contributing to 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh. 

“To address the rising incidence of hypertension, it is crucial to increase funding for this area in the national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26,” they said. 

The demands were raised at a two-day workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress and Way Forward,” concluded today at BMA Bhaban in the capital.

The workshop was organized by the research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). Twenty-six journalists from print, television, and online media attended the event, said a media release of PROGGA.

They highlighted that the allocation for NCDs is 4.2 percent of the total health budget, noting that one in every four adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension, which is a major risk factor for several NCDs.

Although the provision of free medication has already begun to address the prevalence of hypertension, it is crucial to ensure the availability of these medicines in all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes across the country, along with the sustainable funding necessary to support this effort, they added.

Dr Md Enamul Haque, Director General of the Health Economics Unit (HEU), stated, "In addition to increasing the budget allocation for addressing NCDs, it is essential to ensure the effective implementation of the allocated funds." 

Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid, a professor at the Institute of Health Economics at Dhaka University, said “Increasing public awareness, strengthening screening programmes, and ensuring the availability of essential medicines in government hospitals are crucial steps to prevent and control non-communicable diseases. Allocating a larger budget for these efforts is essential."
 
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, said, “Ensuring the availability of anti-hypertensive medications in all Upazila Health Complexes and Community Clinics can lead to a significant reduction in the prevalence of hypertension and NCDs.”