Incorporate HIV/Aids issue into textbooks

They also called upon all to avoid abnormal sexual behaviours, and follow the religious teachings with a view to safeguarding them from Aids.

The seminar on the 'Causes of HIV/Aids transmission and its prevention' was organised by Bangladesh Institution of Medical Laboratory Technologist (BIMLT) in collaboration with Jubok Medical Services (JMS) at Birdem Hospital in the city.

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Justice Mohammad Abdur Rauf, former chief election commissioner, attended the seminar as chief guest.

Bangladesh is a low prevalence but high risk country as neighbouring India, Mayanmar and Thailand are high prevalence countries, said the experts.

"HIV can be transmitted from one body to another through blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk," said Hasibul Haque, head of behavioural change communication and country officer of Family Health International.

"About 7,677 people are officially infected by HIV in Bangladesh, but according to UNAIDS this number is around 15,000 people," Hasibul told The Daily Star.

"Around 14,000 people are being infected by HIV globally everyday. Of them, more than 95 percent are in developing countries. About 2,000 of them are children under 15 years," said Sujit Dey, medical technologist of US Embassy, while presenting the keynote paper.

He said almost 50 percent infected patients are women.

Dr Mostak Rahim Swapan urged all health service providers to come forward to know about HIV/Aids in details and how to treat the patients.

"The growing number of women trafficking has also increased HIV/Aids risks in our country," said Prof Nazrul Islam, chairman of virology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and member of National Aids Committee.

BIMLT President Janun Reza Chowdhury presided over the seminar addressed by Dr Richard Niculas, regional medical officer of American embassy, and Abu Mohammad Syed, chairman of JMS.