Bangladesh sitting on HIV time-bomb

Mahbubur Rahman Khan

Bangladesh is sitting on a HIV time bomb that is ticking unheard in our midst. The bomb may be ticking very slowly now but could explode in near future, according to HIV/Aids experts.

Health Minister AFM Ruhul Haque disclosed on World Aids Day that a total of 143 people were diagnosed with AIDS while 39 AIDS patients died across the country in last one year. The total number of HIV infected people in the country now stands at 1,745 while that of AIDS patients at 619. Some 204 AIDS patients died since the first HIV/AIDS patient was identified in the country in 1989, official sources said.

The spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may turn into epidemic as the virus is being originated in the country apart from spreading through migrated people in recent years said former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam.

Male are infected more by HIV than woman in the country, he said adding if we could not prevent the virus from originating in the country, the ratio of male and female HIV infection would gradually become equal.

BSMMU conducted a survey which revealed that 50 percent of male who came for HIV test at the university are students and 80 percent of them got it through mixing with prostitutes.

Students who stay at Dormitories are more vulnerable to HIV infection than those living with families, he said adding that 75-85 percent people of the world get infected though sexual intercourse. Transmission of HIV usually occurs mainly through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk from the infected people.

Conversely, reluctance to use condom and abrupt use of syringe increase the risk of HIV infection and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the country.

Poverty ridden women, who engage in sex work, become more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and STD as sex buyers show reluctance to use condom.

According to the latest serological surveillance it is found that the HIV infection among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Dhaka is 7 percent and the epidemic in Dhaka is not uniformly distributed and is concentrated in one neighbourhood where 11 per cent of the IDU are HIV positive.

There are about 40,000 drug addicts in the country and many of them are turning to pushing drugs with syringe and needle used by many.

The government, however, as it appears, does not attach much importance to AIDS/HIV related issues as National AIDS Committee (NAC), did not meet even for once during the last three years.

National body for AIDS of other countries of the world monitors, advocates, gives guidelines and formulates policies for different organizations and programmes of their respective countries.

But NAC, the national body to monitor and implement national programs on HIV/AIDS, held its last meeting on HIV/AIDS in 2006. No meeting of the committee was held during the two years of the caretaker government, UNAIDS source said.

National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP) also does not get the attention it deserves. The programme is not an integrated one rather running as a part of development programme under the Directorate General of Health Services.

NASP has so far published 7th round national serological surveillance report (the report revealed the scenario of HIV in the country) that was conducted during 2005-06.

The 8th round national serological surveillance report that is based on information of July- December, 2007 is yet to be published, meaning that NASP runs its programme on backdated information and lacks any accountability”.

The work of NASP suffers following frequent changes in leadership a NASP high-up said adding it should be empowered.

An official of UNAIDS however, expressed doubt as regards proper implementation of NASP organogram.

He said that the feasibility of the structure would take time as there is no allocation for NASP structure in the revenue budget. Health ministry would have to propose to the establishment ministry for approval of the structure which would also require the nod of the Finance Ministry.