BD AIDS

Bangladesh is still to build proper infrastructure to combat with HIV/AIDS. In this background the country observed World AIDS Day on 01 December, 2008. The day is observed mainly to strengthen the campaign of creating awareness among the mass people.

The HIV infected cases found in this year was 288 and new AIDS case was 111 and overall death was 42. But it is hopeful to hear that the number is lesser in comparison to the previous year.

Different government, non-government, national and international organizations and donor agencies observed the day with different activities such as rally, dialogue, discussion, meeting etc.

Since the country is still to reach on that point of building that kind of infrastructure and mechanism where she can combat against HIV/AIDS, the journalists and different stakeholders, including professional bodies, association leaders, religious leaders, policymakers and development partners should come forward strongly with their assistance . NGO’s, Foreign agency’s Government Body and soe Non-Governmental institutions are also represent that day. The media can play a vital role here since they have a close relation with a vast part of the society along with the young people who are the most vulnerable part of the society.

It is a matter of great regret that only 21 percent of the people of the country have proper knowledge about AIDS. The people of the cities are included in this 21 percent. The other 79 percent of the people of the country make the condition worsen.

The concern part of the society especially the private companies should come up with more assistance for advertisements. They can launch campaign in media to build awareness on the people of the country. For this they can arrange concerts, many entertaining programme and make films based on the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS. The electronic media and newspapers can be used to attract the youth class of the country. But it should be kept on mind that those campaigns and functions have to conform with our own culture and social values unless it will not work.
It is the lack of information that brings this curse on a victim but it is the lack of information of the people that kills a HIV/AIDS victim. These stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS have to be abolished.

Here we have to change the view of the people. People think that AIDS is something like sin. The people have to be taken in that ground of thinking where they can accept the diseased persons normally. Also the media people have to feel that commitment in writing and working about AIDS/HIV.

It is proved that HIV is a male issue so the male behavior in Bangladesh needs to be controlled to stop the spread of the virus. The main target should be the lower and middle class people. The campaign should be targeted to them.

Women are silent victims of HIV. But it is the male who spread HIV mostly. Since women are much conservative than man, they do not share their problems with others. To reach to them, different strategies should be taken.

If we work together, someday, it will be possible to reach to every people of the country and make them concern about HIV/AIDS.

By: Kamrul Hasan/ BDAIDS
1 December, 2008