TUHIN SHUBHRA ADHIKARY

The government’s Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative (BHCI), which has significantly improved hypertension control nationwide, is now facing a major setback as medicine supply to patients remains disrupted due to a funding crisis.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its Global Report on Hypertension 2025 published last week, praised the initiative for “demonstrating a strong and scalable impact in improving hypertension management and control”.

Under the programme, registered patients with hypertension and diabetes receive free check-ups and medicines at Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) and select district hospitals. Between October 2018 and June 2024, 56 percent of 5.17 lakh treated patients achieved blood pressure control at implementing facilities, the WHO report noted.

But medicine supply was disrupted after the expiry of the Fourth Health, Population, and Nutrition Sector Programme (HPNSP) in June 2024. The programme previously funded the supply of medicines and equipment to Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) corners in hospitals.

Health officials warn that the disruption is increasing patients’ out-of-pocket costs, raising the risk of life-threatening complications from sudden interruptions in medication, and potentially undoing the initiative’s gains as many may discontinue treatment.

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