Bangladesh is at risk of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) or AIDS due to Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. This disease has taken a terrible shape due to the unrestrained sexual behavior of the Rohingyas. Recently, in a parliamentary meeting of the Ministry of Defense, concern has been expressed about the matter.
On February 15, the report raised in the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on the Ministry of Defense in the National Parliament said, So far 710 patients with this deadly virus have been identified in the tourism district of Cox’s Bazar. 612 of them are Rohingya and 61 rohingya died due to AIDS.
As these patients move freely outside the Rohingya camps, AIDS is spreading at a terrible rate. As a result, it is feared that not only Cox’s Bazar, but the people of the whole country will create a serious health risk.
Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital sources said, these patients were identified from June 2021 to July 2022. According to the data, the spread of AIDS in Rohingya camps has taken a terrible form. Experts say that the disease is increasing due to the free sex of professional sex workers and drug addicts.
Resident Medical Officer and HIV Focal Person of District Sadar Hospital Dr. Ashikur Rahman said, “Since 2015, HIV or AIDS scanning has been started at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. Where AIDS diagnosis, counseling and treatment are provided. We are working on bringing those who are outside the Rohingya under medical treatment after the examination.
Dr. Ashiqur Rahman said that HIV germs were also found in transgender bodies. He said, the biggest risk is the Rohingya population from Myanmar. They have different diseases in their bodies. HIV is detected in medical tests.
Doctors say, that Cox’s Bazar district is now a dangerous area for AIDS. Rohingyas are under diagnosed compared to the rate at which they are contracting the disease. The actual number of victims is much higher.
Sources say, that more than 5,000 Rohingya girls travel to various hotels, motels and guest houses in Cox’s Bazar. They are unsafely having physical relations with local and foreign tourists and locals. This disease is spreading terribly in tourism district Cox’s Bazar. Apart from Rohingya sex workers, as it is a tourist city, Cox’s Bazar is another reason for the spread of AIDS.
Cox’s Bazar public health expert Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman said, “In addition to various initiatives in District Sadar Hospital to prevent AIDS/HIV, 12 teams of various private organizations are working in Ukhia and Teknaf to create awareness at the field level. If someone is found to have HIV in their body, they are kept in isolation. And those who have this virus in their body also hesitate to take treatment.”
Local journalist Sarwar Azam Manik said, that hundreds of Rohingya women roam freely in Cox’s Bazar Hotel Motel Zone area. Locals and Rohingyas are also engaged in sexual activity there. If awareness can be raised, I think this virus can be avoided.”
