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DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) – Speakers at a workshop today stressed the need for sustainable financing to prevent hypertension.

They said the prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Bangladesh is increasing at an alarming rate. 

The journalists’ workshop titled “Hypertension Control: Progress, Barriers, and the Way Forward”, was held at the BMA Bhaban in the capital. 

PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) arranged the workshop with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). 

According to a report by the World Health Organization, 283,000 people died from cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh in 2024, with hypertension accounting for 52 percent of these deaths. 

The speakers said ensuring the regular availability of anti-hypertensive medicines at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes through sustainable financing would enable effective control of hypertension and hypertension - induced non-communicable diseases. 

Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, Medical Officer of the Directorate General of Health Services said, “The government is making efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of anti-hypertensive medicines. We hope that all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes will soon come under the coverage of this facility.”

Reaz Ahmad, Editor of Dhaka Tribune, said through the publication of evidence-based and in-depth reporting, the media can play a vital role in encouraging the public to prevent and control hypertension.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, GHAI and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, were present at the workshop as discussants. 

A presentation on hypertension control was made by PROGGA’s Programme Officer, Samiha Bintay Kamal.

At the workshop, it was informed that, according to World Bank data, only 4.2 percent of Bangladesh’s health budget is allocated for the control of NCDs. Due to inadequate budget allocation, the regular supply of anti-hypertensive drugs at NCD corners of Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes is being disrupted. 

As a result, despite existing demand, free anti-hypertensive drugs are not consistently available at the grassroots level.

A total of 26 journalists from print, television, and online media participated in the workshop.