Md Rakel Islam, Bogura

In the last seven years, 95 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Bogra. During this time, 9 people have died due to HIV. Out of these, 15 people were diagnosed with HIV in July 2026 alone. Doctors and concerned people say that there is no alternative to awareness in preventing HIV. It is necessary to strengthen social movements now to control the infection.

This information came out at a consultation meeting held at the conference room of the Bogra District Civil Surgeon's Office on Thursday. The meeting was organized by the Bogra office of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission in collaboration with the District Civil Surgeon's Office.

According to data from the HTC Center of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (SZMEC) Hospital in Bogra, 95 people were diagnosed with HIV there from February 2019 to July 2026. Nine of them have died. Most of the infected are under the age of 30.

Dr. Md. Sultan Ibn Saeed, a physician at HTC Center at Shajimek Hospital, said that people who come for treatment for various diseases are tested if they show possible symptoms of HIV. In this way, many patients have been identified. Free medical services are being provided to the affected people. One of the reasons for the increase in the number of identifications is that people are more interested in getting tested for HIV than before. However, more awareness needs to be created among people about this disease.

Khondkar Rezaul Karim, manager of the Bogura office of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DIC), highlighted the HIV situation across the country at the meeting. He said that since 2010, the organization has been working to prevent HIV among vulnerable populations, including transgender people and sex workers. In addition, free medical services are being provided.

He said that out of 4,052 people specifically identified in Bogra, 3,449 have been brought under the umbrella of HIV prevention services. In 2026, 1,794 people were tested and one person was diagnosed with HIV. So far, a total of 25 people in Bogra have been diagnosed with HIV in DIC tests. Two of them have died.

Doctors and officials concerned said that unprotected and risky sexual intercourse is one of the main causes of HIV infection. The virus can be spread through sexual intercourse between men and women as well as between men. In addition, there is a risk of HIV infection in the child from an infected mother during pregnancy, childbirth and through breast milk.

Kalam Azad, a member of the Journalists' Welfare Trust and general secretary of Bogra Press Club, said at the meeting that the HIV statistics in Bogra are worrying. It needs to be brought under control now. For this, people from all walks of life and professions of society and the concerned stakeholders need to work together. More publicity activities need to be conducted to increase awareness. It is not possible to prevent the horrors of this disease without awareness.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Jyoti Bikash Chandra said, there is no alternative to awareness. The issue of HIV prevention must be included in various seminars and training. It is necessary to involve the youth in this program. If the district administration is informed, necessary cooperation will be provided in this regard.

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. SM Noor-e-Shadid. At that time, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Begum Mustari Akhter Jahan, Medical Officer Sajjad ul Haque, Medical Officer of the School Health Clinic Umme Salma Shariman, Farah Ulfat, along with doctors and DIC officials were present.

According to DIC data, 14,313 people were diagnosed with HIV in Bangladesh from 1989 to 2025. During this period, 2,666 people died.