Need for national policy to prevent AIDS
Photo: Noor Alam / driknews
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the major killer diseases in this century. More than 33.4 million people have HIV in the world and more than 2.7 million are getting newly infected. In South and South East Asia more than 5.6 million people are infected with HIV, in Middle East and North Africa the number is about 470000. In the South East Asian region, especially in India, Thailand and Myanmar, a high number of people are carrying HIV virus. A large number of Bangladeshis are working in the Middle East and Africa. Many of us are frequently travelling in highly positive areas including our neighbouring countries. AIDS is controllable through education and treatment. Modern AIDS treatment increased the life expectancy of HIV-positiveve patients towards leading a normal life. Therefore, early diagnosis and intervention is essential for prevention and control of HIV AIDS. Being a poor country, Bangladesh is facing a big challenge to combat HIV. A national policy that would be duly implemented is urgently required to prevent HIV/AIDS. This should serve as a wake-up call to the nation.
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