AIDS prevention and control
Md. Alauddin, Mirpur-10, Dhaka
It's a matter of great concern that our neighbouring countries-- India, Myanmar and Nepal-- are considered to be the focal point of HIV epidemic in this region. Currently, about five million people in India are infected with HIV.The epidemic of HIV/AIDS in India is following the same pattern of Africa and it could become devastating unless preventive action is taken now. It is an expert assumption that the number of people infected with HIV in India will rise to 15-20 million by 2010. Bangladesh has a porous border with India and Myanmar. We have a large number of migrants working in the Middle Eastern countries as maidservants, truck drivers, businessmen and labourers. These migrants, who spend many months away from their families, are known to be at an increased risk of contracting HIV. So, from my experience I believe the HIV situation of Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Myanmar & Afghanistan needs better handling under a well-coordinated programme supervised by an organisation like Saarc, or any other international agency. The governments of these counties should come forward to support such a programme.
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