Experts at a webinar today highlighted the urgent need for effective programmes and sustainable financing to address the rising prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the young population in Bangladesh. Non-communicable diseases, including high blood pressure, are increasing at an alarming rate among the country's youth, accounting for 71 percent of total deaths, with 19 percent being premature deaths. The webinar, titled ‘Hypertension risk among youth and the way forward: Bangladesh perspective’, was organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) to mark International Youth Day 2026. Supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), the event was co-organized by several youth networks and attracted participants from various regions, including Rangpur. Quoting the Health and Morbidity Status Survey-2025 by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the experts noted that hypertension ranks first among the top 10 diseases in the country. Data from the Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2018 show that approximately 12 percent of people aged 18-39 have hypertension. Without immediate action, the crisis could worsen. Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, stressed the importance of sustainable financing to ensure a regular supply of medicines at all primary-level healthcare facilities, which he believes could be one of the most worthwhile investments in building a healthy young generation. Dr Malay Kanti Mridha, Professor at the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, added that hypertension can be effectively controlled through evidence-based curative and preventive measures. Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, called for a significant portion of the increased health budget to be spent on addressing hypertension and other NCDs. Mohammad Al Amin, Vice-president of Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF) and Deputy Editor of the Daily Sun, emphasized the role of the media in ensuring that the government prioritizes NCD control in the allocation and use of the health budget. Aminul Islam Sujan, Consultant at the Vital Strategies, also participated in the webinar as a discussant. The webinar was presided over by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, and moderated by its Program Officer Samiha Bintay Kamal.
FAQs
- **What is the current prevalence of hypertension among young people in Bangladesh?** According to the Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2018, approximately 12 percent of people aged 18-39 have hypertension. - **Why is sustainable financing important for addressing hypertension?** Sustainable financing is essential to ensure a regular supply of medicines at all primary-level healthcare facilities, which can help reduce premature deaths caused by hypertension. - **What role can the media play in addressing hypertension among young people?** The media can play a significant role in ensuring that the government prioritizes NCD control in the allocation and use of the health budget. - **What are the key recommendations from the webinar to address hypertension among young people?** The experts recommended effective programmes, sustainable financing, and increased allocation of the health budget to address hypertension and other NCDs among the young population.
