Non-communicable Disease Condition in Bangladesh

Did you know that over 70% of deaths in Bangladesh are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer? If we don’t tackle NCDs, we can’t achieve universal health coverage. In a roundtable with The Business Standard, Prof. Dr. Syed Zakir Hossain, Line Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control Programme, highlighted a critical gap: while non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death, they still do not receive enough focus. Only 4% of the overall health budget is dedicated to NCDs. This mismatch is slowing our progress toward UHC 2030. Without smarter investment and stronger primary care for NCD prevention and management, achieving health for all will remain out of reach. Before this Universal Health Coverage Day let’s align our priorities with our people’s needs. Because health for all must include care for the diseases that affect all.