Under the Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative (BHCI), a total of 518,148 patients with high blood pressure have so far received free treatment and medicines from Upazila Health Complexes, with 57 percent achieving controlled blood pressure. In Dhaka Division alone, 113,192 patients are currently under treatment, of whom 58 percent have their blood pressure under control.
The information was shared at a divisional coordination meeting held today (Thursday) at the office of the Divisional Director (Health), Dhaka. The meeting discussed the progress and future plans of the Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative, implemented under the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) Program of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), with technical support from the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh and Resolve to Save Lives.
Divisional Program Officer Md. Sajjad Hossain and Surveillance Medical Officer Dr. Md. Ahsan-uz-Zaman presented the keynote papers. They highlighted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh, of which 34 percent are due to hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. In response, the government’s NCDC Program is currently implementing BHCI activities in 310 Upazila Health Complexes across 44 districts.
They further noted that the use of the digital health tool NCD-BD app (formerly the Simple app) has improved patient tracking, follow-ups, and overall treatment delivery. As a result, the national blood pressure control rate has improved from 20 percent to 60 percent.
Addressing the meeting, Dhaka Divisional Health Director Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Alam said, “The rising number of deaths caused by NCDs is alarming. To address this, the government is distributing free medicines for hypertension patients through NCD corners in all Upazila Health Complexes.”
Professor Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology and Research Department at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute and Director of BHCI, stated that around 24.6 percent of Bangladeshi adults suffer from hypertension, but only one in seven are under regular treatment and able to keep their blood pressure controlled. “Ensuring regular check-ups and free treatment at the primary level can significantly reduce this preventable mortality. Moreover, BHCI’s implementation is strengthening primary healthcare to better respond to NCDs,” he added.
Professor Syed Zakir Hossain, Line Director of the NCDC Program at DGHS, said, “The full implementation of the WHO HEARTS package and strengthening digital health services will help Bangladesh meet both national and global NCD reduction targets by 2030. This initiative will also make a vital contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Other participants at the meeting included the Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager of the NCDC, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, Civil Surgeons from nine districts, Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman Bhuiyan, Additional Director of BHCI, as well as senior officials of the Dhaka Division (Health).