865 new cases this year HIV infection in BD turns alarming

The Health Ministry has found a total of 865 people infected with immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the country during November 16 of 2016 to October 17 of this year.

The ministry came up with the information marking the World AIDS Day held on December 1, with a slogan of “Amar sastho amar odhikar” (My health is my right) in a press conference at secretariat this afternoon.

The ministry informed that the HIV positive 865 patients (male- 639 and female- 213) were spotted after examining a total of 77,725 people across the country during last one year.

Approximately, a total of 5,586 people since 1989 to 2017 were infected with AIDS.

Recently, the percentage of HIV infection has risen alarmingly among the drug addicts of a special area of the capital, but it is under control, the ministry said.

While the 856 patients including 63 Rohingyas were spotted in one year, the likely number of AIDS patients would be 11,700 persons in the country.

The government has taken different measures to prevent the infection from spreading by launching free treatment of HIV at government hospitals and NGOs.

So far a total of 2,483 patients took medication for AIDS from six government hospitals free of cost, the ministry added.

The official programme of World AIDS Day in the country will be held at Osmani Auditorium in the city on December 6, where the Health Minister Mohammad Nasim will host the presentation on the advancement and measures against the deadly infection.