Sirajganj has officially been declared a ‘red zone’ for HIV/AIDS as the number of HIV-positive patients continues to rise at an alarming rate.
According to data from the district’s HIV Centre, a total of 255 people have so far been diagnosed with HIV, 73 per cent of whom are injectable drug users. Health officials have expressed serious concern over the growing trend.
Doctors attribute the rise in infections to needle sharing, concealment of infection, low awareness among youths, and unprotected sexual activity. Officials said the virus is spreading mainly through illegally imported injectable narcotics from neighbouring India.
Authorities are currently providing free treatment, medicines, and counselling for affected individuals, while law enforcement agencies claim to be conducting regular drives to curb the use of injectable drugs.
Data from the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at Sirajganj General Hospital show that HIV testing began on February 20, 2020.
Since then, the number of detected cases has steadily increased —
4 cases were recorded in 2020, 8 in 2021, 69 in 2022, 136 in 2023–2024, and 38 new cases have been detected so far this year.
Of the 255 total patients, 26 have died, said Masud Rana, counselor and administrator of the ART Center. He added that among the infected individuals, 187 are injectable drug users, 29 are students, 35 are general citizens, and 4 are sex workers.
‘Many people unknowingly share needles while taking narcotic injections, which causes the virus to spread rapidly,’ Masud Rana said, adding that patients are receiving free antiretroviral medicines and regular medical care.
Akikun Nahar, superintendent of Sirajganj General Hospital, said most injectable drug users come from low-income backgrounds and tend to share syringes, increasing infection risk.
She emphasised that counselling is being provided alongside treatment to help patients maintain morale and urged law enforcement to intensify anti-drug operations.
H M Mostafizur Rahman, assistant director of the Department of Narcotics Control in Sirajganj, said nearly 1,900 ampoules of injectable narcotics were seized in the past two years during various raids.
Faruk Hossain, superintendent of police in Sirajganj, said the ongoing anti-drug campaign will be further intensified to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the district.
