The number of AIDS cases amongst Rohingyas and local has been increasing in Cox's Bazar every year.
In the last one year, 115 Rohingyas and 10 Bangladeshis were infected with the virus.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) and HIV Focal Person of Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital Dr Ashiqur Rahman said that HIV screening programme started in Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital in 2015.
As of July 6, 710 people have been diagnosed with HIV.
HIV germs have also been found in transgender people as well and 118 people including 61 Rohingyas have died due to this disease.
Twelve teams of various non-governmental organizations are working in Ukhiya and Teknaf to create awareness at the field level., said Ashiqur.
In addition various initiatives have been undertaken in District Sadar Hospital to prevent AIDS/HIV, he added.
Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman, public health professional of Cox's Bazar, said: “There is a lot of ignorance and social prejudice increasing the spread of HIV. HIV-positive individuals are isolated from society with the fear of getting infected from them. And those who have this virus in their body are reluctant to take treatment.”
President of Cox's Bazar Civil Society Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka said that since the Rohingyas are present in the Cox's Bazar area and roaming around the hotels and motels, locals are interacting as getting sexually involved with them resulting in the HIV spreading.
