Government Backs Cardiac Rehabilitation Model

The government will provide the highest level of policy and structural support to implement an internationally standardised, affordable cardiac rehabilitation model tailored to Bangladesh’s local context, State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit has said. Emphasising that recovery must extend beyond clinical treatment, he highlighted the need to address both the physical and mental health needs of people living with heart disease.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a stakeholder meeting on a five-year research project titled ‘Affordable Cardiac Rehabilitation: Integrated Strategic Advocacy and Research’. The meeting was held on Thursday, November 5, at the conference hall of the Specialised Hospital of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU).

The state minister said non-communicable diseases account for approximately 67% of all deaths in Bangladesh, with heart disease among the leading causes. According to the 2022 national survey, complications related to heart disease account for 21% of total deaths in the country. While improvements in the healthcare system have increased life expectancy, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is also rising.

He said research conducted in developed countries has demonstrated that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of subsequent heart attacks, lowers hospital readmission rates and improves patients’ quality of life. Therefore, rehabilitation must be an integral part of care alongside medical treatment for heart disease.

Dr. Muhit stressed that treatment should not be limited to clinical interventions. Many patients experience mental health challenges, anxiety and depression after a cardiac event. These concerns require particular attention among people of working age. He described the inclusion of mental health alongside physical rehabilitation in the research project as a timely initiative.

Speaking about budget allocations for research and healthcare, the state minister said researchers’ work should not remain confined to laboratories or scientific journals. Research findings must be translated into practical public health policies and healthcare services at the grassroots level.

He said the current government has prioritised public health and ensured the highest-ever budget allocation for the health sector in the country's history since independence.

He added that the five-year research project would help young researchers develop internationally competitive skills and capabilities. It would also pave the way for an effective and sustainable cardiac rehabilitation model in Bangladesh.

National Professor Dr. A K Azad Khan, BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. F M Siddiqui and cardiology specialist Professor Dr. Mohammad Shafiuddin attended the event as special guests.

Professor Dr. F M Siddiqui said initiatives of this kind would make an important contribution to raising cardiac healthcare services in Bangladesh to international standards.

The keynote paper was presented by Professor Rod S Taylor of the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, who leads the research project. Professor J M A Hannan chaired the meeting.

Relevant specialists, researchers and stakeholders from different levels of the health sector also attended the meeting.

//DBTechMDV/SME/MIST//