World Hypertension Day observed

A scientific seminar and awareness rally were held at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College on the occasion of World Hypertension Day, organised by the Bangladesh Society of Medicine.

Hypertension is a silent killer. Every year, approximately 11 million people die due to high blood pressure. In Bangladesh, one out of every four adults suffers from hypertension. However, people are largely unaware of this condition. According to scientific research, half of those affected by high blood pressure do not even know they have it. To increase awareness about hypertension, May 17 is observed every year as World Hypertension Day, and various awareness activities are conducted on this day.

Since its establishment, the Bangladesh Society of Medicine has been working for the welfare of both doctors and the general public as one of the leading organizations of physicians in Bangladesh. On the occasion of World Hypertension Day, the organisation arranged a scientific seminar at the historic Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, followed by an awareness rally.

The chief guest at the event was Professor Dr. F. M. Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University. The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Monir-Uz-Zaman, Convener of the Bangladesh Society of Medicine and Principal of Sir Salimullah Medical College. The event began with a welcome speech by Dr. Zakaria Al-Aziz, Member Secretary of the Medicine Society.

The keynote presentation at the seminar, which focused on the control of hypertension, was delivered by Dr. Ahmad Manjurul Aziz, Assistant Professor of the Department of Medicine at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College. Panel discussions included contributions from Professor Dr. Faruk Ahammad, Additional Director General (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Education of the Government of Bangladesh; Professor Dr. Saki Mohammad Zakiul Alam, Director (Medical Education); Professor Dr. Shahabul Huda Chowdhury, Vice Principal of Mugda Medical College; and Professor Dr. Md. Monjurul Haque, Head of the Department of Medicine.

Professor Dr. Ainul Islam Khan, Principal of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, delivered remarks as an honored guest. Special guests included Professor Dr. Md. Rehan Uddin Khan, Head of the Department of Anesthesiology at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College; Professor Dr. Md. Nuruzzaman Khan, Director of the National Institute of Neurosciences; and Professor Dr. Md. Abdullah Al Faruk, Head of the Department of Hepatology at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Tofazzal Hossain Bhuiyan, Chief Executive Officer of Servier Bangladesh Operations. In his speech, the chief guest, Professor Dr. F. M. Siddiqui, emphasised the importance of raising awareness about hypertension and highlighted how physicians can play a crucial role in addressing this issue.