As hypertension has become a serious health concern in Bangladesh killing thousands of people every year, health experts at a workshop have emphasised the need for ensuring the availability of quality treatment and medicines in all community clinics to combat the disease.

They also urged the policymakers to carry out an awareness campaign as hypertension, a non-communicable disease, can be prevented largely by changing lifestyle and food habits.

Research and advocacy organisation PROGGA with the support of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) arranged the two-day workshop for journalists titled “Hypertension and Heart Health” at the conference room of Bangladesh Institute of Planners on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thirty journalists from print, television, and online media houses participated in the workshop where noted public health experts, including Dr Syed Mahfuzul Huq, National Professional Officer (NCD), World Health Organization Bangladesh, Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Department of Epidemiology & Research, National Heart Foundation, Professor Dr S M Mustafa Zaman, Department of Cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU),  Professor Dr Malay Kanti Mridha, Director of Center for Non-Communicable Disease and Nutrition, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, GHAI, spoke about various aspects about hypertension.