National response to HIV/AIDS
Maj Gen (Dr) A S M Matiur Rahman (Retd)
Bangladesh is still fortunate to be a low prevalent country in the region. Having 136 million populations, the reported cases of HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh is very low (363 reported cases as of Dec, 2003). However, according to WHO/UNAIDS report, an estimated (2,500-15,000) HIV infected people were there in Bangladesh at the end of 2003. However, Bangladesh has worked out its own estimate and it is in the final stage and is being processed for Government approval. Many risk factors fuel the spread of HIV in Bangladesh. The actions taken by Bangladesh have been appreciated by all, particularly on the aspects of Safe Blood Transfusion program, Injection safety, Legislation on Safe Blood Transfusion, Policy on the Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B helping the prevention and control of HIV and regularly conducted five sero and behavioral surveillance, multisectoral approach in dealing with the problems, empowerment of women, success story of the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the Armed Forces of Bangladesh and future dealing with the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS amongst the young people with the assistance of Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria and HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme (HAPP) and through IDA-DFID funded program and these have helped & will help prevent HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh. The theme of 2004 "Women, Girls, HIV & AIDS" has been focused on the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection. Special emphasis, therefore, needs to be shifted to this group. National AIDS Committee (NAC) was formed in 1985 and since then many activities were carried out to combat HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh. The Hon'ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare is the Chairman and Hon'ble President of the country is the Chief Patron of NAC demonstrating the highest political commitment in the country. The Technical Committee of NAC that comprises mainly health and other technical experts support it. Besides two other Subcommittees of NAC, monitoring subcommittee and motivation cum publicity subcommittee also help strengthen the activities of NAC. A solid document, National AIDS Policy was prepared and approved by the government, which covers many aspects of HIVIAIDS prevention and care. National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS (NSP) has been prepared and is in the final stage for approval by the government. To compliment government effort NGOs working on HIV/AIDS have setup the AIDS/STI network that seeks to improve co-ordination among them. The UN theme group facilitated to establish the Expanded Theme group on HIV/AIDS. The main implementing body for the prevention of HIV/AIDS is the National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP) through a coalition of three functionaries: NAC, The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services. An antiretroviral Task Force has been established to develop a framework for delivering antiretroviral treatment. If all these responses can be progressed timely Bangladesh will be able to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. Maj Gen (Dr) A S M Matiur Rahman (Retd) is Chairman, Technical Committee of National AIDS Committee (NAC).
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