61 new cases of HIV diagnosed in Ctg this year: speakers

As many as 61 persons have been diagnosed with Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Chattogram district this year, speakers said at a programme yesterday.

They were addressing a seminar jointly organised by Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and its dermatology department, marking World AIDS Day (December 1).

At present, some 374 HIV/AIDS patients are undergoing treatment for HIV in Chattogram district, they said.

Of them, 358 are being treated at the anti-retroviral therapy corner in CMCH Dermatology Department, while 16 others are undergoing treatment by a state-owned care centre in the port city.

Four HIV patients died in CMCH this year, while one died in the care center, speakers also said.

Prof Dr Serajul Islam, former head of Dermatology Department of CMCH and president of Bangladesh Dermatologist Society blamed the Rohingya community for threat of AIDS epidemic in greater Chattogram region.

“The Rohingya refugees must be confined in their camp to restrict HIV AIDS from spreading in the country”, he said.

CMCH Director Brig Gen Mohsen Uddin Ahmed and Head of CMCH Dermatology Dept Rafiqul Mawla were present among others.