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Bangladesh has been recognized as a successful example in the recently published second Global report on hypertension by World Health Organization (WHO). Between 2019 and 2025, the rate of hypertension control increased from 15 percent to 56 percent in some regions of Bangladesh — a promising improvement. However, one-fourth of the population is still suffering from hypertension and ongoing initiatives are not enough to reduce the growing burden. Uninterrupted supply of anti-hypertensive medicine must be ensured at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes in this regard.
Such demands were made at a workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress, Challenges and Way Forward”, held on 27th October 2025 at the capital’s BMA Bhaban. The workshop was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). Twenty-three journalists working in print, television and online media participated in the workshop.
It was informed at the workshop that hypertension remains a major public health challenge that causes premature deaths. The WHO report identified ensuring availability of free anti-hypertensive medicine at the grassroots level as a significant step toward controlling the disease and stressed continued investment in this sector for long-term sustainability.
Attending the workshop, Dr. Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said, “We are experiencing certain budgetary and management constraints in providing medicines for hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, we are hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon.”
Md. Riad Arafin, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing), Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), said, “We always try to ensure that anti-hypertensive medicines are supplied on time to NCD corners and Community Clinics for the people living at the grassroots level, and we remain committed to its continuation.”
Reaz Ahmad, Editor, Dhaka Tribune; Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA, were present at the workshop as discussants. PROGGA’s Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova delivered presentations on hypertension control.
-Press Release
