Photo: BSS

NILPHAMARI, Sept 17, 2025 (BSS) -One in every four people in Bangladesh is 
suffering from high blood pressure, experts said today, stressing the urgent 
need to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines at all health centers 
across the country.

The observations came at a virtual workshop titled "Hypertension Control in 
Bangladesh: Progress, Barriers and Way Forward" held this morning. 

The workshop was organized by non-governmental organization PROGGA with 
support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). 

GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus and PROGGA Executive 
Director ABM Zubair attended the workshop as speakers.

PROGGA Director Md Shahedul Alam and Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prava delivered 
the subject wise presentation.

Referring to a survey, PROGGA Director Md Shahedul Alam said, "One in every 
four people in Bangladesh suffers from high blood pressure or hypertension." 

Health experts in the workshop noted that although medicines for hypertension 
are being distributed free of cost at community clinics and upazila health 
complexes, lack of sustainable financing and other challenges have caused 
recurring shortages. 

They also called on the government to address this crisis and ensure adequate 
medicine supply at the grassroots level.

Speakers at the workshop pointed out that hypertension is one of the three 
leading causes of death and disability in Bangladesh. 

They urged the government to increase budgetary allocations for non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) 

A total of 30 journalists from print, electronic, and online media outlets of 
Rangpur division participated.