According to a recent study conducted by the medical science publication, the Lancet, stated that they have recorded 319 HIV cases, 277 were taking medication and 19 had died.
As a part of the conservative Muslim society, extramarital sexual activities are taboo. Rohingyas often expel any member of their community infected with HIV especially if the person is not married. As a result, those with HIV hesitate to seek medical help.
Many Rohingya also view HIV in the same vein as normal illnesses like cough or fever, said Asif Hossain, a medical officer working at the Dhaka-based Population Services and Training Center.
To prevent the crisis from getting worse, Lancet said, authorities need to pay immediate attention to raise the Rohingya’s awareness of HIV and bring about behavioural change.
The publication also urged that existing health-care providers be empowered to identify and to treat people with HIV. It also called on the Bangladeshi government and relevant international agencies to recognize HIV as a priority “to prevent the negative health and socioeconomic consequences of this latent epidemic.”
Please click below to read the editorial: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)33139-3/fulltext
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