World Aids Day : 136 HIV positives added to country list this year

Dhaka, 1 December 2003 — With the newly identified 136 HIV positive individuals this year, the country is going to observe the World AIDS Day today.

The number of HIV infected patients rose to 384 since 1989. It was 248 last year, according to virology department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

About 13,000 to 17,000 people are living with the incurable virus in Bangladesh, according to the UNAIDS report 2003.

Some 33 million HIV patients have died worldwide since the virus was identified in 1981, the report added.

Meanwhile, the global AIDS epidemic scenario shows no sign of let-up. Five million people were infected with HIV worldwide and 3 million died in 2003, the highest so far, said a UNAIDS press release.
One out of five adults is now living with HIV/AIDS across southern Africa, the highest rate since the disease broke out as an epidemic, it added.

According to the "AIDS Epidemic Update 2003," the UNAIDS release says, every day in 2003 an estimated 14,000 people were infected with HIV. More than 95% of those infected live in low- and middle-income countries.

The latest report says, an estimated 40 million people are living with HIV worldwide, including 2.5 million children under 15.

In Bangladesh, the intravenous drug users (IDU) are the most potential carriers of HIV/AIDS among the vulnerable groups in the country.

The fourth round of the National Serological Surveillance found presence of four per cent HIV infection among the IDUs in Dhaka.

According to the National AIDS Committee and surveillance team members and experts, the rate is quite alarming as it remains one per cent less than the highest five per cent HIV epidemic index.
The rate of HIV/AIDS remains less than one per cent among the other vulnerable groups -- truckers, migrant workers, gay, hijras (hermaphrodites), professional blood donors, heroin smokers and, hotel, brothel and street based commercial sex workers.
High prevalence of HIV/AIDS in neighbouring India and movement of population, less use of condom and presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the country are the major risk factors for HIV in Bangladesh, say experts.

With the theme "Live and Let Live" the country will observe the World AIDS Day in a befitting manner as elsewhere in the world.

To observe the day, the government and different other organisations have taken programmes today.

LIFE, a non-government organisation, United Nations Information Centre and Children Voice have launched a month long signature campaign to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS across the country.

Bangladesh Parliament Members Group will hold a discussion and organise a cultural function today to generate awareness about AIDS.

Welfare Association of Repatriated Bangladeshi Employees will hold a discussion and screen documentaries on HIV/AIDS.
CARE Bangladesh will organise a symbolic stand-in at four overbridges in the city and participate in the national rally today.

Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum will hold a discussion meeting on HIV/ AIDS tomorrow.

The Daily Star News

Francistown, Botswana, 1 December 2003—Despite having the highest adult HIV prevalence worldwide at close to 40%, Botswana has managed to mount an effective response to AIDS over the past few years. "Botswana's growing AIDS movement is the result of President Mogae's leadership and openness on AIDS coupled with the active involvement of people living with HIV," said Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, who was speaking at a World AIDS Day commemoration today. "By breaking the silence on AIDS, President Mogae has not only galvanized the whole African continent, but become a true leader in the global AIDS fight."