Staff Reporter:
The number of HIV/AIDS patients in Sirajganj has risen alarmingly this year.
So far, 255 people have been diagnosed with the virus. Most of them are young and drug users.
HIV testing began at the 250-bed Sirajganj General Hospital on 20 February 2020.
In the first year, 4 people tested positive.
The number increased to 8 in the following year and reached 81 in 2022.
In 2023 and 2024, the situation remained relatively stable.
However, this year, the number of cases has risen sharply to 255.
The hospital’s HIV Testing and Counselling Center confirmed the information.
Counselor Masud Rana told reporters that among the infected, 187 are drug users, 35 are ordinary people, 29 are students, and four are sex workers.
So far, 26 patients have died while receiving treatment and others are regularly getting free medicines and counselling services.
According to doctors, the virus is spreading due to sharing the same syringes among drug users, lack of awareness about safe sex, hiding disease status, and uncontrolled lifestyles among the youths.
Dr Akikun Nahar, supervisor of the hospital, said, “Drug users often reuse the same syringe multiple times, spreading the virus through blood.”
Additionally, she urged local authorities and law enforcement to take urgent and strict measures to control the spread, as most of the infected are drug users.
