The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

The World AIDS day was observed at Barisal staging out processions and holding discussion meeting on December 1.

The day's programmes was opened by Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron, Mayor of Barisal City Corporation who also led a procession at Aswani Kumar Hall, which dispersed on the Circuit House premises.

The district administration also organised a discussion on the deadly virus, which was presided over by Dr. Pulin Kumar Sinha, Civil Surgeon of the district. The discussion was attended by officials, representatives of health, Social Welfare Department NGO officials and representatives of voluntary organisations.

Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College also observed the day. The college also organised a procession in the city streets and a discussion on the virus. Dr. Lutfar Rahman, associate professor of the Community Medicine presided over the discussion meeting. Principal of the college Prof. Syed Zahid Hossain attended the discussion as the chief guest. The discussants called for creating awareness among people about the deadly virus and give them a clear conception about the virus.

They also stressed for practising religious ethics and developing moral values in the minds of young people involving the social and religious leaders for preventing AIDS. It was revealed at the discussion that in Bangladesh AIDS was detected first in 1986, but at present the number of AIDS patients were between 13,000 and 20,000 in the country.

It takes five to seven years to detect a HIV patient after being infected by the virus.

Dr. Brindabon Das, head of blood transfusion department of the Medical College said only seven HIV positive cases were detected in the college and of them four in 2006 and three in 2007.

Prof. Golam Mahmud suggested blood scanning of transport workers of long distance, sex workers and drug addicts at a regular interval.