HIV cases surge in 2024, with 195 fatalities, experts call for inclusive services

Bangladesh recorded a worrying rise in HIV cases and AIDS-related deaths in 2024, highlighting the urgent need to expand prevention, treatment, and social protection services for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations.

According to the National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP) and UNAIDS, 1,438 new HIV cases were identified across the country last year, including 149 among the Rohingya population. During the same period, 195 people died of AIDS-related causes.

By the end of 2024, Bangladesh had registered 12,422 cumulative HIV cases, of which 2,281 had died. Health experts estimate that around 16,863 people are currently living with HIV in the country.

While the national prevalence remains below 0.1%, infection rates are disproportionately high among key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs. Many of these groups face barriers to accessing health and social services.

A national workshop on integrating HIV prevention and care within child protection and social service systems was held today (29 September) in Dhaka at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) auditorium. The event was organised by DGHS, UNAIDS, and UNICEF Bangladesh.

Furkan Hossain, UNAIDS consultant, presented a session titled "Inclusive Social Services for Key Populations and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)."

Dr Elisa Calpona, OIC chief of the Child Protection Section at UNICEF Bangladesh, suggested enhancing HIV prevention and care through integration into social service systems, including strengthening the training of social workers and community facilitators. She also recommended improving referral pathways through CPIMS+ and the 1098 Helpline while maintaining strict confidentiality safeguards.

"There is a strong need to expand access to adolescent-friendly HIV services such as testing, self-testing, and PrEP, focusing on emerging hotspots. We must address stigma at the family, community, and service facility levels, enhance accountability and safeguarding protocols across health, justice, and child protection systems, and broaden social protection measures, including cash support, nutrition, and life skills training for PLHIV and their families," she added.

The event also announced the joint release of the UNICEF–UNAIDS guide, Policy and Programming Approach: Linking HIV Prevention with Harmful Practice Prevention in Bangladesh, a multi-stakeholder partnership initiative.

Dr Saima Khan, country director of UNAIDS Bangladesh, highlighted the rising HIV infections in the country. She attributed the increasing risk to a "collective neglect of children" and a failure to support them during vulnerable periods.

She explained that separating children from their families and exposing them to abuse often pushes them into situations like sex work or drug use, significantly increasing their risk of HIV. 

Dr Saima emphasised that this urgent situation requires a collective effort from all stakeholders to "stand by the key population at risk" and address the root causes driving children into these dangerous circumstances.

Speakers also highlighted worrying trends—since 2010, new HIV infections have risen by over 20%, showing that social factors such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and lack of protection are driving new transmissions.

Dr Sheikh Sayidul Haque, director general (Planning and Development) at DGHS, inaugurated the workshop, which was co-chaired by Dr Zubaida Nasreen, deputy director of the National AIDS/STD Control Programme at DGHS.