Northwestern region 'high risk zone' for AIDS

They said the government and NGOs should take immediate steps to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS in the region, which is increasingly becoming vulnerable to the killer disease.

The workshop on "Orientation of Journalists on HIV/AIDS Issue", followed by an open discussion, was organised by the Centre for Communication and Development (CCD) in collaboration with CARE, Bangladesh. It was held at the conference hall of Postal Academy.

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CCD Chairman Shah Anisur Rahman, Executive Director Golam Murtoza, Chairman of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Bishwas, CARE representative Dr Najmul Hussein and Journalist Saleem Samad took par as resource persons in the workshop.

Around 40 journalists from different parts of the region participated in the workshop and the open discussion.

They said HIV infection is still very limited in the country because of religious values and family discipline.

But it can spread quickly through smugglers, truck drivers, illegal immigrants and travellers from the neighboring country.

They urged the government and other authorities concerned to increase screening measures at blood transfusion centres. They suggested drastic action against abuse of drugs and their smuggling, proper rehabilitation of floating sex workers and also called for creating awareness among people about he danger of HIV infection.