The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Mymensingh

Speakers at a seminar today said that social awareness and practicing of religious rituals can check spreading of deadly disease HIV/AIDS .

They said as the number drug users through injection has been alarmingly increasing the risk of getting infected by HIV is also increasing.

They said this at a seminar titled "Greater Mymensingh is in AIDS risk" held at Mymensingh Press Club jointly organised by Mymensingh Press Club and World Vision AIDS prevention project.

Deputy Commissioner Md Shamsul Alam was present at the seminar as the chief guest while vice-president of the Press Club Advocate Waredul Islam chaired it.

The seminar was addressed, among others, by manager of World Vision, Mymensingh, Somerendra Sangma, additional district magistrate Md Mohsin, ADC Ratan Chandra Pandit, deputy civil surgeon Dr Atiqur Rahman, Ziauddin Ahmed, Ataul Karim, Prof Lutfar Rahman Khan, Advocate Mosharraf Hossain, Mozammel Haque and Dr Joganta Kumar Nath.

The speakers said that at present the number of AIDS patients in the country is 1,207 while the figure was 874 in 2006.

They said according to a study, the place of Mymensingh regarding using drugs through injection is second in the country which is next to Dhaka. They underscored the need for organizing social campaign to raise awareness about the deadly disease AIDS.