Speakers at a discussion Hypertension treatment must be ensured at grassroots level

Staff Reporter  :
The hypertension situation in Bangladesh is very alarming as one in every five adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension.
“Availability of hypertension medicines must be ensured at the community clinic level to make hypertension treatment accessible to the entire population of the country and necessary budget allocation also must be ensured in this regard,” speakers said in a discussion meeting in the capital on Tuesday.

The discussion titled “Hypertension Situation in Bangladesh and Way Forward” was held at BMA Bhaban. It was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
This year World Hypertension Day will be observed today (Wednesday) under the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.
Vice Chairperson of the Community Clinic Health Support Trust (CCHST) Dr Makhduma Nargis said, “To reduce the prevalence of hypertension, preventive measures must be strengthened along with the provision of treatment facilities from community clinics.”

Dr. S M Mustafa Zaman, Professor, Department of Cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said, “The prevalence of hypertension can be reduced through the implementation of hypertension management guidelines and combined effort.”
Dr. Md. Quiume Talukder, Line Director (CBHC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said, “The Prime Minister has made commitment regarding the provision of medicines from community clinic for patients with diabetes and hypertension.”

Dr. Malay Kanti Mridha, Professor of Public Health, Director, Center for Non-Communicable Disease and Nutrition, BRAC University, Dr Farzana Akter Dorin, National Professional Officer, WHO Bangladesh Office and Zahirul Alam, Head of News and Current Affairs, NTV were present at the event.
The key-note was presented by Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Department of Epidemiology & Research, National Heart Foundation and Hasan Shahriar, Head of Hypertension Control Program, PROGGA.

The discussion meeting was chaired by Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI.