Hypertension drug supply at risk due to lack of sustainable funding: Experts
The absence of a secure and long-term funding framework continues to threaten uninterrupted access, particularly at the grassroots level, they said.
Bangladesh's efforts to curb hypertension risk losing momentum without a sustainable financing mechanism to support the nationwide supply of essential medicines, health sector stakeholders warned today (21 January).
The issue came into focus at a workshop titled "Hypertension Control: Progress, Barriers, and the Way Forward", held at the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) in the capital. PROGGA Knowledge for Progress organised the event with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator GHAI.
Speakers noted that while the government has initiated free distribution of essential anti-hypertensive medicines, the absence of a secure and long-term funding framework continues to threaten uninterrupted access, particularly at the grassroots level. They said hypertension and other non-communicable diseases are increasing at an alarming rate in Bangladesh.
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Referring to a World Health Organization report, the speakers informed that 283,000 people died from cardiovascular diseases in the country in 2024, with hypertension accounting for 52% of those deaths. Ensuring the regular availability of anti-hypertensive medicines at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes through sustainable financing would allow more effective control of hypertension and hypertension induced non communicable diseases, they added.
Dr Geeta Rani Devi, medical officer of the Directorate General of Health Services, said, "The government is making efforts to ensure an 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."
Meanwhile, highlighting the role of public awareness, 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 of GHAI, and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, attended the workshop, while PROGGA Program Officer Samiha Bintay Kamal delivered a presentation on the current status of hypertension control in Bangladesh.
