Nearly 4,000 at Risk of HIV in Barishal City

Nearly 4,000 residents of the Barishal City Corporation area are at high risk of HIV infection, health officials reported on 17 June.

Dr. Mashrur Bin Azad, a medical officer at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH), shared the data during a workshop for journalists focusing on the health and human rights of vulnerable populations.

Presenting the keynote paper, Dr. Azad stated that at least 3,707 individuals in the city are currently at risk. This demographic breakdown includes 1,506 female sex workers, 1,436 homosexual individuals, and 765 drug users.

Across the broader Barishal division, 205 HIV-positive patients have been identified. Of these, 185 are currently receiving treatment, 16 have died, and four have relocated.

Dr. Azad urged the public to overcome the persistent stigma and fear surrounding the disease.

"Many people believe HIV spreads through casual contact, which is simply not true. It is transmitted only through infected blood or unsafe sexual contact," he explained.

He also dispelled the misconception that an HIV diagnosis is an immediate death sentence. With regular medication, patients can successfully manage the disease and reduce their viral load to zero.

"When the viral load drops to zero, the virus cannot be transmitted to others. These individuals can safely marry and have healthy children," Dr. Azad added.