A significant gap remains in sustainable financing despite the alarming rise in hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh. Ensuring adequate budget allocation in the upcoming 2026–27 national budget is crucial to tackling NCDs, particularly to guarantee the availability of medicines for all to manage hypertension.
These issues and recommendations were highlighted at a webinar held on Monday titled “Sustainable Financing for Hypertension Control: Bangladesh Perspective,” organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), marking World Health Day 2026. Today (April 7), the day is being observed under the theme “Science in Healthcare, Protecting All Lives”.
Speakers at the webinar noted that the growing prevalence of hypertension is significantly increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh. According to the Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025 by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), hypertension ranks first among the top ten diseases in the country. Currently, 71 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh are attributed to NCDs. However, budget allocation for this sector remains critically low, accounting for only 4.2 percent of the total health budget.
The webinar also highlighted that although the government has made a landmark decision to supply hypertension medicines in all community clinics, uninterrupted availability remains hindered due to insufficient budget allocation. As a result, the provision of free hypertension medication for marginalised populations continues to be a challenge.
Dr Md Enamul Haque, director general (additional secretary) of the Health Economics Unit, said, “To ensure the supply of hypertension medicines in all community clinics, increased budget allocation is essential. At the same time, efficient and strategic utilisation of allocated funds can significantly improve hypertension control nationwide.”
Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said, “Hypertension is a silent killer and a major cause of premature death. Sustainable financing can ensure a regular supply of medicines at community clinics, which would significantly reduce health risks associated with hypertension.”
Professor Dr Syed Abdul Hamid of the Institute of Health Economics at the University of Dhaka emphasised that alongside sustainable financing, effective implementation of public health policies and plans is crucial for controlling hypertension.
Md Riad Arafin, deputy general manager (sales and marketing) at Essential Drugs Company Limited, said adequate budget allocation would help ensure uninterrupted medicine supply for marginalised communities.
Doulot Akter Mala, president of the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF), said that while deaths from NCDs remain high, budget allocation is disproportionately low, stressing the need for increased investment to protect public health.
Other discussants included Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh country lead at GHAI, and Dr Abu Jamil Faisel, president-elect of the Public Health Association of Bangladesh. The webinar was chaired by ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA, and moderated by Samiha Bintay Kamal, programme officer at PROGGA.
Journalists from print, television and online media, along with civil society representatives, subject-matter experts, and participants from across the country, attended the webinar.
