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127 males & 30 females have been detected with AIDS

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December 10, 2000 

Dhaka-- (UNB)- The total number of HIV/AIDS cases so far detected is 157 plus in Bangladesh, experts told a workshop here yesterday.

One hundred and 57 cases including 127 males and 30 females have been detected in the laboratory at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. And there may be some more cases detected in 7 other private laboratories, said Prof Nazrul, renowned virologist of the country.

He and other experts including Dr Zakir Hossain, Dr Nasiruddin and Dr Sumon Lahiri disagreed with figures of HIV/AIDS cases dished out by international agencies varying from 17,000 to 33,000, which have no basis.

Dr Zakir said the agencies estimated highly inflated figures of sex workers and drug takers through intervenous injection, which are the most vulnerable groups for the deadly disease.

There will be not more than 40 thousand sex workers including 5,000 in 16 organised brothels in the country. The rest are floating sex workers. A survey by CARE has revealed 6,500 sex workers in 18 brothels. Two of the brothels in Narayanganj have since been closed. But WHO gave an inflated figure of more than one lakh sex workers. There will be not more than 25,000 drug takers through injection, he asserted.

Again, Prof Nazrul Islam said that a sample survey of sex workers revealed that 0.5 percent of sex workers were carrying HIV as against more than 50 percent in some of the neighbouring Indian states.

There are cases that HIV patients before they got AIDS have been recovered. It is malignant, cancer type disease. Treatment is very costly. Once taken to AIDS a patient is required around one thousand dollars worth of medicine every year, all imported.

Dr Nasiruddin said there may be cases of HIV cases beyond those detected in BSM Medical University. But the number will be insignificant. He however admitted inadequate test facilities.

The experts felt that there should be a campaign for availability of medicines for treatment of AIDS at a minimum cost. African countries where AIDS patients are more are provided medicines by the West at one-fifth of the price.

Senior journalits took part in the workshop organised by AIDS & Health Writers Group.