Desk report:
Free HIV blood tests have been ongoing at the 250-bed Chandpur Government General Hospital for five years.
In the last 5 years, 6,427 people have been tested for HIV at the HTC ART Center set up at Sadar Hospital. Out of these, 25 patients have tested positive for HIV. Out of them, 15 are male and 10 are female. Medical experts urge everyone to get their blood tested at this service center at the hospital for such a serious disease.
It is learned that in March 2020, the Ministry of Health launched this service at the Chandpur Government General Hospital, like in 22 other districts across the country. Since then, an average of 7-8 service seekers have been coming here every day to get HIV tested. Gradually, this number has increased to more than 10-12. Officials in charge said that the saliva and blood of the people who come to the center are tested and the report is provided within just ten minutes.
This service institution set up on the ground floor of the Chandpur Government General Hospital is currently being run by three officers and employees. Two resident doctors of the hospital are serving as focal persons. They are accompanied by Counselor-cum-Administrator Md. Habibul Haque Akhand and Medical Technologist Soleman Hossain.
They said that since the launch of this service center at Chandpur Government Hospital in March 2020 under the initiative of the Bangladesh Ministry of Health, many people in the district have benefited from this free blood test service. So far, a total of 6,427 tests have been conducted at the center, out of which only 25 patients were identified as positive and later received treatment.
They also said that this test is especially important for foreign workers. Because HIV test reports are mandatory in many countries before traveling abroad. In addition, this test is also very important for drug addicts and sex workers, so that the disease can be diagnosed on time and receive proper treatment. They called on this category of vulnerable people to come to the hospital and receive this simple service for free and ensure the safety of themselves and society.
The officials said that a separate file is opened for each service seeker who comes here and counseling services are provided so that the patient can be aware and cautious. If the report comes positive, the patient is immediately given treatment and necessary advice. And those who receive a negative report are also given necessary instructions to avoid risks in the future.
It is worth noting that the germ that causes AIDS is called HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When infected with this virus, the immune system of the human body is significantly reduced, resulting in an increased risk of various complex and life-threatening diseases. Those concerned believe that such initiatives across the country are raising awareness among the people and are playing a helpful role in timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
In this regard, Dr. Mohammad Asif Iqbal, Resident Physician (RP) of Chandpur Government General Hospital, said, “We have a lot to do to prevent HIV/AIDS.” These include regular primary testing, HIV testing of migrant workers, refraining from risky sexual behavior, raising awareness among people from all walks of life, ensuring protection through testing of both husband and wife, and HIV testing of pregnant mothers. Only awareness can reduce the risk of this disease. He further said that the vulnerable population of the district, especially sex workers, drug addicts and migrant workers, should take up this service, as this will not only protect their personal safety, but also the entire society.
Hospital Superintendent Dr. AKM Mahabubur Rahman said that 25 HIV positive patients have been identified among those who have taken services through HTC ART Center so far. Our main goal is to bring the vulnerable population under this free service, so that they can get tested on time and receive necessary treatment. Through this, not only the patient but the entire society will be protected.
