HIV prevalence rises among drug users
Speakers tell workshop
Staff Correspondent
HIV prevalence have increased from 4 percent to 7.1 percent among the Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in the country in recent years with increased risk behaviour like sharing of needles, speakers at a workshop in the city said yesterday.IDU population is well integrated into the surrounding urban community, society and sexually, they said adding that adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS may increase by two percent by 2012 and may reach 8 percent by 2025 if no interventions are taken among IDUs and sex workers. Padakhep Consortium organised the workshop titled "Advocacy experiences and HIV/ AIDS mainstreaming" as part of its package "Advocacy and Sensitisation of the Religious Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents and Policy Makers on HIV/ AIDS". Health Adviser Major General (retd) ASM Matiur Rahman as the chief guest stressed the need for strong religious principle, family values, increased awareness and knowledge on HIV/AIDS and government-non-government (GO-NGO) collaboration to prevent the deadly disease. At the same time support to the victims, removal of stigma and proper treatment should be provided, he said adding that "As the treatment is costlier, we should pay more attention to its prevention". He also said women are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and 85 percent case of HIV transmission takes place in the country through unsafe sex. "It will not be possible to control HIV/AIDS until we start to talk on the issue freely," he added. The speakers said focal points in 16 ministries emphasised mainstreaming HIV/AIDS prevention activities, integration of HIV/AIDS into the curriculum of secondary and higher secondary school education and formation of Religious Leader's Forum to enhance the support of the religious leaders. Additional Secretary of health ministry Jamil Osman, Save the Children Country Director Kelland Stevension, UNAIDS Country Representative Dan Odallo, Secretary of religious affairs ministry Ataur Rahman, Secretary of science and ICT ministry Wahid uz Zaman, Secretary in Charge of Chittagong hill tract affairs ministry Abdus Sabur, Secretary in charge of youth and sports ministry Golam Mostafa Talukder, and Secretary in charge of women and children affairs ministry Rokeya Sultana spoke at the workshop as special guests. Among others Programme Manager of National AIDS/STD Programme Hanif Uddin, HIV/AIDS Programme Director Dr Nizam Uddin Ahmed and Executive Director of Padakhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra Iqbal Ahammed presented papers on HIV/ AIDS issues.
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