He was speaking as the chief guest at a function organised by the Dutch-Bangla Bank at Hotel Purbani in the city to distribute treatment cards to 50 HIV patients. This is a new initiative that the bank has taken to support the patients in their treatment.

Managing Director of the Dutch-Bangla Bank Md Yasin Ali presided over the meeting.

Director General of Health Department Dr Md Shahjahan Biswas, Chairman of Virology Department of BSMMU Prof Nazrul Islam and Additional Managing Director of the bank A H M Nazmul Quadir also spoke on the occasion.

The adviser, who also holds the portfolios of water resources and religious affairs, praised the initiative of Dutch-Bangla Bank as a rare example of its commitment to serve the cause of humanity. He hoped that other banks and private organisations would similarly come forward to shoulder the social responsibility.

Matiur Rahman said if the spread of the AIDS ever takes place in the country its impact on public health and the economy would be huge and very difficult to tackle. "So we need to have proper awareness and education about it," he said.

The adviser said it is therefore important not only to continue the initiative to combat AIDS but also to expand the programme and expedite its implementation.