Establishing a Directorate and Secretariat for Non-Communicable Disease Control in Bangladesh: A Policy Concept Note

Directorate and Secretariat for NCDC in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for the majority of deaths in Bangladesh and are imposing a growing burden on the health system through cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and related chronic conditions. Existing programme arrangements have expanded service delivery but remain insufficiently institutionalized for the scale, complexity, and long-term nature of the national NCD challenge.
Objective: To present the public health rationale and institutional proposal for establishing a permanent NCD directorate and a central NCD secretariat in Bangladesh. Methods: This concept note synthesizes epidemiological evidence, programme experience, policy commitments, and health system needs relevant to NCD prevention, surveillance, treatment, coordination, and long-term follow-up in Bangladesh. Results: Available evidence indicates a high and rising burden of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions in Bangladesh. The current programme structure does not adequately match the need for sustained nationwide surveillance, multisectoral coordination, registry development, decentralized service delivery, and lifelong patient management. A permanent directorate with dedicated staffing, technical wings, and operational authority, supported by a central secretariat and divisional branches, would provide a more durable institutional platform for governance, implementation, monitoring, research, and advocacy. Conclusion: Establishment of a permanent NCD directorate and secretariat under the health system of Bangladesh is justified on epidemiological, administrative, and strategic grounds and could strengthen the country’s capacity to meet national and global NCD targets

Bangladesh J Medicine 2026; 37(3): 266-270