Joint efforts to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS underscored

Concerted efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can effectively prevent HIV/AIDS through generating public awareness on the issue.

Utmost emphasis should be given to bringing all the stakeholders and other gatekeepers under necessary awareness programmes to prevent any more deadly virus infections.

Health experts, journalists and social watchdogs came up with the observation while addressing a meeting with the health service provider, religious leader, lawyer, journalist, law enforcement agency and representatives of community-based organizations in Rajshahi on Wednesday.

Light House organized the meeting at the office conference hall of Civil Surgeon (CS) under the ‘Prioritized HIV Prevention and Treatment Services for Key Populations in Bangladesh Project’ in collaboration with ICDDR’s and Global Fund.

CS Dr Quiume Talukder and former chairman of Rajshahi Education Board Prof Dipakendra Nath Das addressed the meeting as chief and special guests respectively, disseminating their expertise on the issue with Deputy CS Dr Raziul Islam in the chair.

Manager of Drop-in-Centre of Light House Kabir Hossain gave an overview of their HIV/AIDS prevention activities during his PowerPoint presentation.

Editor of the Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, Senior Health Education Officer Muhammad Samsuzzaman and President of Diner Alo Hijra Sangstha Mohona Sarker also spoke.

Dr Quiume Talukder said HIV/AIDS is a health issue and a social development concern. He stressed the need for more coordination among different organizations and stakeholders to attain cherished results.

He added that only the government or any single organization isn’t capable of resisting the HIV/AIDS infection as its risk and vulnerability is gradually being increased due to various reasons.

Prof Dipakendra Nath Das mentioned that the main challenge to prevent HIV/AIDS is now being adjudged as the stigma and negative attitude towards the vulnerable population like injecting drug users, sex workers and professional blood donors. He, however, emphasized the need for protecting the infected persons from their human rights violations as they are also an integral part of society.