Cardiac specialists yesterday stressed the need for increased treatment facilities for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in and outside the city as CVDs are on the increase in society alarmingly.

They also found out the ways to exchange scientific knowledge, technology transfer and improve expertise among the Saarc countries.

About half the CVD deaths occur below the age of 50 at the developing world compared to about a quarter in developed countries.

The experts said this at a congress, which was jointly organised by Bangladesh Cardiac Society and Saarc Cardiac Society at Saarc Congress of Cardiology 2010 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Though Bangladesh has advanced much in cardiac treatment in the last few decades, the service is still insignificant and can meet the needs of only onetenth population, they added.

Speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate as the chief guest said treatment facilities for

cardiac diseases are costly and not sufficient.

"We need to decentralise cardiac centres so that people suffering from cardiac diseases can get the treatment properly.”

Quoting a study, he further said that by 2030, about 20 million people will die from CVDs globally and the death rate will be higher in South East Asia.

The experts said contributing causes of the diseases include the aging of world population, lifestyle changes due to urbanisation, progressive industrialisation and burgeoning globalisation.

"We should give more emphasis on preventive cardiology, people should be motivated and convinced for lifestyle modification," said Abul Hussain Khan Chowdhury, vice chairman of Bangladesh Cardiac Society, adding that effective regional cooperation and strong political commitment are needed to fight against these killer diseases.

Prof Chowdhury Mahmud Hasan, president of Bangladesh Medical Association, said: "Some 1,500 posts of teachers in medical colleges against

4,000 sanctioned posts are vacant which should be filled up immediately."

Admitting to the shortage of manpower, Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque said the government is trying to resolve the problem.

The government will provide equipment at different cardiology centres and cardiac surgery will soon take place in Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi also, he added.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very sincere in developing cardiac treatment in the country," the minister said, adding that the health ministry is actively seeking cooperation from Saarc Cardiac Society.

The experts also discussed inadequate paediatric cardiac care facilities and shortage of manpower.

Bangladesh Cardiac Society President Prof M Amanullah MP, Secretary General Prof Khwaja Nasiruddin Mahmood and Bangladesh Medical Association Secretary General Sharfuddin Ahmed also spoke at the inaugural session where experts from other Saarc countries were present.