International Research Initiative Launches Affordable Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Bangladesh

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of global mortality and disability, yet patients in low- and middle-income nations like Bangladesh frequently struggle to access essential post-cardiac care. To bridge this critical treatment gap, a five-year international research initiative titled “Affordable Cardiac Rehabilitation: An Outreach Interdisciplinary Strategic Study” (ACROSS) has been launched to make recovery services more accessible, affordable, and effective.

The project, which began on July 1, 2023, is funded by the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It operates across Bangladesh and Pakistan with the primary goal of integrating mental health support—specifically targeting anxiety and depression—into traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Led by the University of Glasgow and the University of Manchester, the initiative is being implemented in Bangladesh by the Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS). Local institutional partners supporting the study include the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and the National Heart Foundation and Research Institute.

The researchers intend to develop a culturally tailored and home-based rehabilitation model that involves patients, caregivers, healthcare workers, and policymakers. By focusing on an interdisciplinary approach, the project aims to ensure that patients in resource-limited settings are not excluded from comprehensive recovery plans.

University of Glasgow Professor Rod Taylor, a co-lead of the ACROSS program, emphasized that the initiative is vital for providing efficient and equitable care, particularly for South Asian populations both in their home countries and those residing in the United Kingdom.

Professor Imran Chaudhry, a co-lead from the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning, noted that placing patients and healthcare professionals at the center of the design process is essential to ensuring the model’s long-term sustainability. He added that the program is structured to bolster the overall resilience of local health systems.

The Vice-Chancellor of BUHS, Professor J.M.A. Hannan, stated that the international collaboration would produce critical, evidence-based data. He expressed confidence that these findings would serve as a foundation for future policy adjustments, ultimately strengthening the national capacity to manage complex, long-term health conditions.