193 tested HIV positive in 8 southern districts: Report

Kabir Humayun :  At least 193 people have been tested HIV positive in the eight southern districts of the country.
Mukto Akash Bangladesh (MAB), the voluntary organisation that works on AIDS-related issues, made the disclosure yesterday, reports UNB.
Among the affected people, 84 (53 men and 31 women) have been tested HIV positive in Khulna district alone while 109 in Jhenidah, Gopalganj, Jashore, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Narail, and Magura districts.
Contacted, Civil Surgeon of Khulna Dr Abdur Razzak said they cross-checked the findings.
The report said that expatriates returning from abroad, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and the USA are responsible for spreading the lethal virus in the districts.
No HIV virus was detected among sex workers of the district while a hijra (transgender) was found to be carrying HIV, it said.
The report added that the worst affected areas among the districts are Benapole, Chaugachha, and Khulna town.
Sources at Khulna Medical College and Hospital said at least 31 HIV patients underwent treatment at the hospital this year and three of them died.
MAB coordinator Rehena Begum said their organisation is working on raising awareness among people about the deadly disease and providing nutritional and medical support to the HIV patients.