Experts Call for Increased Budget Allocation to Tackle Heart Diseases in Bangladesh
**Summary:** Experts emphasize the need for increased funding in the health sector to strengthen primary services and combat heart diseases, particularly hypertension, which is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh.
Summary: Experts emphasize the need for increased funding in the health sector to strengthen primary services and combat heart diseases, particularly hypertension, which is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh.
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Experts are urging the government to allocate more funds to the health sector to effectively address the rising prevalence of heart diseases in Bangladesh. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has been identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is responsible for more than 240,000 deaths annually in the country.
At a recent event titled 'Improving Cardiovascular Health in Bangladesh', organized by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB), PROGGA, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), experts highlighted the urgent need for prioritizing the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
RTSL President and CEO Dr. Tom Frieden emphasized the need for Bangladesh to focus on preventing heart attacks and strokes, in addition to the progress made in preventing deaths from infectious diseases. He stressed the importance of investing in primary care services to provide effective blood pressure treatment, which can significantly reduce the incidence of heart diseases and save lives.
The prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh has been on the rise due to factors such as an aging population, rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy dietary habits. To address this growing burden of NCDs, experts are calling for the integration of blood pressure control measures within the primary healthcare system and ensuring sustainable financing for these efforts.
Dr. Frieden highlighted the role of government policies in reducing sodium intake, a major risk factor for hypertension. He emphasized that global efforts to reduce sodium consumption could prevent millions of deaths each year, with a significant impact on low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh.
Collaborative initiatives between the Non-Communicable Disease Control Programme (NCDC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), NHFB, and RTSL have shown promising results in improving hypertension detection, treatment, and follow-up in primary care settings. Prof Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at NHFB, noted the success of the Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative in increasing blood pressure control rates in upazila health complexes.
The GHAI, in partnership with other organizations, is advocating for comprehensive health programs to address cardiovascular health issues in Bangladesh. Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to control blood pressure, improve medication access, and reduce salt consumption for better heart health outcomes.
As the event concluded, PROGGA executive director ABM Zubair emphasized the collective commitment needed to combat heart diseases and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in Bangladesh. With a focus on preventive measures and effective treatment strategies, experts are hopeful that increased budgetary allocation and sustained efforts will lead to significant improvements in heart disease prevention and management nationwide.
Hi, Ali Rahman in the house! From Chittagong, Bangladesh, I've been on a wild ride from Banskhali Bangabandhu High School to Govt. Alaol College and beyond, landing me at National University. Now, I'm here to dish out the lowdown on national issues and global news. Stick around for a fresh take on what's shaking up our world! Connect With Me