NCDs account for 71pc of deaths

More than 71 per cent of all deaths in Bangladesh are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), prompting the government to launch a coordinated initiative involving 35 ministries and divisions to tackle the growing burden of such illnesses.

The first high-level meeting of the Coordination Committee on the Prevention and Control of NCDs was held on Monday at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and moderated by Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury.

Jointly organised by the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Cabinet Division, the meeting was attended by senior secretaries and secretaries of 35 ministries and divisions that are signatories to a joint declaration on NCD prevention and control. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided technical support for the event, while WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed attended as a special guest.

Addressing the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary said prevention and control of non-communicable diseases remains one of the government's top priorities. He stressed the need for innovative approaches beyond conventional thinking and called for effective measures backed by specific, time-bound action plans.

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles through increased physical activity and exercise, noting that greater focus on prevention alongside treatment could significantly reduce the risk of NCDs.

Participants were informed that non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses and mental health disorders, account for more than 71 per cent of all deaths in the country. About 51 per cent of these deaths occur prematurely, posing a major challenge to economic productivity and sustainable development.

As part of efforts to address the issue, a joint declaration involving 35 ministries and divisions was signed on 20 August 2025. Subsequently, a coordination committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary was formed on 19 January this year to implement activities under a “whole-of-government” approach.

The meeting reviewed sector-specific action plans, public awareness strategies, integration of health considerations into policymaking, budget requirements, technical support mechanisms and implementation monitoring.