Drug users falling prey to HIV/Aids

A survey has highlighted the dangers that are before us unless strong, purposeful measures are taken to handle HIV/Aids. It has been found in a particular area of the nation's capital that about 10.5 per cent of injectable drug users (IDU) have been afflicted with the HIV/Aids virus. With about 2,000 individuals in the area habitually taking drugs, that would mean about 200 of them now being exposed to the Aids danger. Of course, it might, at least for some, be easy to argue that the figures are from an area studied in isolation and may not reflect the countrywide situation.
But that is precisely the point. In strictly medical terms, once a disease has afflicted 5 per cent of the population in a given area, it is understood that an epidemic has either occurred or is about to occur. While we do not imply that HIV/Aids has now taken the shape of a crisis, we certainly agree with health experts when they suggest that existing conditions warrant a careful look at what is going on. A worrying number of individuals already into drug abuse are getting infected by the HIV/Aids virus because of syringes used by a number of people one after the other. With 40,000 people addicted to drugs in the country (and that figure comes from the government), the chances of more and more individuals falling prey to Aids cannot be dismissed easily.
And that brings us to the matter of what action, if any, has been taken to handle the issue. It is shocking to know that a National Aids Committee, comprising 61 members and set up as far back as 1985 when no cases of HIV/Aids were reported in Bangladesh, has not met since May 2006. It just goes to show how appallingly low Aids happens to be on a list of health priorities among official circles. With as many as 7,500 people officially afflicted by HIV/Aids (the figures were tallied in December 2007), there is no denying that the ailment calls for a energetic response. There are instances of countries, particularly in Africa, where a refusal to acknowledge the existence of the problem only led to bigger problems. A similar situation must be avoided at all costs in Bangladesh. Happily for us, there are individuals and organisations engaged in dealing with the issue. The government can complement their efforts, in such areas as counseling and treatment, through a well-defined action plan on HIV/Aids in our villages and towns.