HIV/AIDS Cases in Bangladesh Doubled in the Last Five Years, Majority Amongst Homosexuals and Married Individuals

 The number of HIV/AIDS patients in Bangladesh has doubled over the past five years, according to the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and AIDS Control Program under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). According to DGHS data, from November 2023 to October 2024, 1,438 new cases of AIDS were reported in the country.

In 2024, 195 people died from AIDS-related complications in Bangladesh.

The data reveals that 42% of new HIV infections in the country are among homosexuals, followed by returnee migrant workers. Other affected groups include sex workers, drug users, and transgender people. Approximately 10% of those infected are from the Rohingya refugee community.

The regions with the highest number of infections include Dhaka, with 406 cases, followed by Chattogram with 326, Khulna with 154, and Rajshahi with 147. Other divisions reported between 44 and 86 new cases.

Among the infected, 84% are aged between 21 and 49 years, indicating that the highest rates of infection are found in young and middle-aged adults. The remaining 16% are between 19 and 24 years old.

In terms of marital status, 55% of those newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS this year are married, while 40% are unmarried. The remaining 5% are widowed or divorced.

Of those who died from AIDS this year, 77% were men, 22% were women, and 1% were transgender individuals. Most of the deceased were aged 60 years or older.

As the country faces these alarming statistics, today marks the observance of World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is “Rights are Key, HIV/AIDS Will Disappear.”

The first HIV-positive individual in Bangladesh was identified in 1989. As of November 30, 2024, a total of 12,422 people have been diagnosed with HIV in the country. Of these, 2,281 have died. However, according to estimates from UNAIDS, the actual number of people living with HIV in Bangladesh is closer to 14,000.

The alarming rise in HIV/AIDS cases in Bangladesh underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, preventive measures, and better healthcare to combat the spread of the virus.