Although the rate of infection in Bangladesh has not increased in comparison to that in the neighbouring countries, this is not the hour to be complacent, said Maj Gen (retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman, chief HIV adviser and chairman of TC-NAC.

Matiur presented the keynote speech at the discussion on the current AIDS status of the world as well as Bangladesh. Different organisations took part in the programme organised at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

The theme of the World AIDS Day this year was "accountability".

Prior to the discussion, over 50 organisations including CARE, Ashar Alo, Durjoy Narisangha, Padokkhep, BILS, Association for Social Development, Human Resources Development Programme, and Save the Children-USA brought out a colourful procession from the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with the slogan, "Stop AIDS. Keep promise".

"With high prevalence in the neighbouring countries, frequent migration of people, lack of awareness of HIV infection, existence of commercial sex workers and injectible-drug users, tendency of low condom use, and lack of voluntary blood donors, HIV/AIDS might become endemic," Matiur said.

In his paper he noted the major breakthroughs in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention: establishment of 98 blood centres to screen five lethal diseases--HIV, hepatitis-B and -C, syphilis and malaria, approval of Safe Blood Transfusion Law 2002, increase of relative and voluntary blood donors, and declining number of paid donors from 70 percent to 15 percent.

The challenges for Bangladesh right now are ensuring food and nutrition security for the AIDS patients and more coverage under the AIDS prevention programme, he said.

Wahida Banu, chairperson of STI/AIDS Network of Bangladesh, also stressed the need for immediate coverage of places, which are still out of the programme.

The NGOs dealing with the issue often lack efficiency and institutional capacity, she said, urging every one concerned to maintain the standard by initiating a sustainable approach with more government and donor fund.

Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol, Bangladesh representative of World Health Organisation, insisted on strengthening vigilance for the ongoing programme.

Taufiqur Rahman, team leader of South and West Asia Cluster of the global fund, assured the organisations concerned of smooth funding to their projects.

Md Abdus Selim, programme manager of NASP, Kelland Stevension, country director of Save the Children-USA, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, secretary general of BMA, Md Abdul Mannan, director general of DGFP, Md Monirul Islam, additional secretary and focal point-HIV/AIDS of health and family welfare ministry, AKM Zafar Ullah Khan, health and family welfare secretary, Dr Syeda Badrun Nahar, ADG of DGHS and line director of NASP and SBTP, also spoke at the discussion.

Later, a cultural programme was held at the conference hall in the evening.