April 11, 2025
Anwar Bhasha, a 70-year-old from the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, India, did not know he had hypertension. He suffered a stroke that left his left side paralyzed and it was only in the Emergency Room that he was informed that his uncontrolled blood pressure had caused the stroke. Anwar works as a night shift watchman and does daily wage jobs to support himself and his wife, who also has hypertension.
However, the stroke has left him with limited mobility, and he finds its very painful to stand or sit in one position for long hours – a key aspect of his role as a night watchman. After the stroke, he was in prolonged physiotherapy at a private health facility, which drained his savings, put an immense strain on his meager income and caused him to incur financial debt. Recently a Primary Health Centre (PHC) opened just 500 meters from his home. As a result, Anwar is now able to be on BP medications regularly, with support from front line workers who come to his house regularly to monitor his blood pressure, provide him a pill box with clearly marked pills for his treatment and help him maintain and manage his blood pressure.
Anwar shared his story as a panelist on the Global HEARTS at the World Hypertension Congress 2025, in Chennai, India, where the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) joined forces with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) to showcase the power of patient advocacy in driving hypertension awareness and policy change. This was one of the powerful stories was heard by leading experts, policymakers and practitioners to advance hypertension control and cardiovascular health.
Panelists Dr. Andrew Moran, Chief of Cardiovascular Health Science at RTSL and Dr. Gbenga Ogedegbe of New York University engaged with Anwar, asking him about his experience of being diagnosed only after he suffered a stroke and how he navigates life with lasting impairments. Anwar gave an intimate and insightful look at his lived reality and also talked about local health governance solutions such as doorstep delivery of medicines that have helped him remain on treatment. This was a stark reminder of the urgent need for early detection, intervention and control.
In addition, GHAI’s senior communications advisor, Lopa Ghosh, co-led a poster presentation titled: “Navigating Power, Equity and Social Norms – Lived Experience of Hypertensive Patients in India,” to amplify the point that patients’ voices count for health systems improvements especially through better policy and budgets.
When patients speak, policymakers listen and we utilize advocacy to amplify patient voices and drive meaningful change. And that’s how GHAI, in collaboration with our partners, strengthen health systems—by ensuring that those most affected by chronic conditions are at the center of the conversation.
