The incidence of HIV (AIDS) cases is increasing day by day in the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar. The disease is spreading among Rohingyas as well as local residents. 11 people were infected with HIV virus in last June 2022.
According to Sadar Hospital sources, 505 people are receiving treatment from Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital and 205 people are receiving treatment from Ukhia Hospital out of 710 people infected with HIV virus in Cox’s Bazar district since 2015. Among them, 612 are Rohingya, the remaining 98 are local citizens. It is also learnt that 118 people died from HIV/AIDS infection, 61 were Rohingya and 57 were local residents.
The number of Rohingya infected with HIV virus is high. Due to a lack of education about the virus, this disease is spreading to all corners of Cox’s Bazar.
Apart from this, being a tourist city, sex workers from different parts of the country come to Cox’s Bazar to earn money and it is considered to be another reason for the spread of AIDS.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr. Ashiqur Rahman of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital said that the world is now looking at the Rohingyas. We are always trying to protect Rohingyas’ good health. Before the arrival of the Rohingya, there was no such outbreak of this disease. The HIV virus is spreading rapidly due to the prevalence of HIV disease among the Rohingya and their free association and large workforce. Due to the long duration of this disease, it is spreading among Rohingyas as well as locals for the lack of isolation of those infected, there is a risk of the disease spreading more widely.
President of Cox’s Bazar Civil Society said that since the Rohingyas arrival over the Cox’s Bazar area, locals are interacting with them. Many are even having sex. IAwareness and abstinence from sexual activity can prevent the virus.
