Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Oct 29, 2025 (BSS)- Over one lakh hypertension and 50,000 diabetic patients are receiving services from the corners of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Rajshahi division free of cost through digital registration.

NCD corner is a specialized health service point established in 60 Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) in all eight districts under the division.

These corners provide preventive and intervention services for common NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, making care more accessible to the local population, particularly in rural areas.

These were revealed in a divisional coordination meeting held at the conference hall of the Divisional Director of Health office here today.

With Divisional Director of Health Dr Habibur Rahman in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by former director of Osmani Medical College and Hospital Brig Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Deputy Directors of Department of Health Dr Nurul Islam and Dr Ibne Imam and Additional Director of National Health Foundation (NHF) Dr Mahfuzur Rahman Bhuiyan.
 
During his keynote presentation, Ehsanul Amin Emon, divisional programme 
officer of Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative Programme of NHF, gave an overview of the division's patients suffering from hypertension and its preventative activities.

He said the corners are working to bring NCD services closer to the community, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and management of chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers.
 
The corners offer a range of services including screening, treatment, and follow-up care for people with chronic diseases.
 
He also said the overarching goal hypertension control Initiative is to achieve a twenty-five percent relative reduction in overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases by 2025, a target aligned with the government's national action plan for NCDs.

The initiative aims for a 30 present relative reduction in the mean population intake of salt and sodium.

Dr Habibur Rahman said the prevalence of NCDs in Bangladesh is increasing at an alarming rate. NCDs are currently responsible for about 71 percent of all deaths in the country, with hypertension being one of the leading causes.

One in four people suffer from hypertension, yet only one in seven has the condition under control through regular medication and necessary treatment.

In his remarks, Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan stated that raising awareness among the public will be the crucial means of reducing mortality caused by NCDs, particularly hypertension and diabetes to a great extent.
 
The government has opened NCD corner at many Upazila Health Complexes and provides healthcares coupled with distributing medicines to the patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes free of cost.
 
Utmost emphasis should be given on reaching the messages of the services to the targeted people in grassroots and the role of the community level health service providers and members of the community group is very important in this regard.