One out of five policy briefs discussed at the official launching of the final report of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011 was presented by Eminence. The policy brief was drafted by Eminence which focused on hypertension and diabetes and it was presented by Dr. Shamim Hayder Talukder, CEO, Eminence. The National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), Ministry for Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the final report on 30 January 2013 and policy discussion was held at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.

Prof. Dr. Syed Modasser Ali, Hon’ble Adviser to the Prime Minister, Family and Social Welfare graced the seminar as a chief guest. Mr. Gregory Adams, Director, Health, Population and Nutrition Office, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was also present as a special guest.

The five (5) policy briefs were written jointly by Eminence, icddr,b, Save the Children and MEASURE EVALUATION based on the findings of BDHS 2011 final report. The briefs are expected to provide guidance to policy makers and donors alike on the future directions and interventions of Bangladesh’s health programs. Funded by USAID, the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) was undertaken by NIPORT, Mitra and Associates (Bangladesh), and ICF International (U.S.A.) in 2010. It is to be noted that BDHS 2011 is the sixth Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Bangladesh.

The 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) includes for the first time, measurements for blood pressure and fasting blood glucose among subsample of women and men age 35 and older.  The policy brief recommends more focus on the two diseases as a public health threat. Strategies to be considered include preventive measures; periodic screening at community level; and better management of the disease through behaviour change communication interventions; prevention, early detection and medical compliance.