Abu Ayub Khan :: HIV infections and related deaths are increasing in Bangladesh’s border district of Khulna, raising fresh concerns among public health experts.
According to the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at Khulna Medical College Hospital, 100 new HIV cases were detected between November 2024 and October 2025 after testing 1,279 blood samples. Among the newly infected were eight children. During the same period, 23 people died due to AIDS-related complications.
In comparison, 85 HIV cases were identified in 2024 from 1,547 tests, with 20 deaths reported. The latest figures show a year-on-year rise in both infections and fatalities.
World AIDS Day was observed in Khulna on Monday amid growing concern over the trend, with the theme: “Remove All Barriers, Build an AIDS-Free Society.”
Health experts say fear, stigma, and lack of awareness discourage many people from undergoing HIV testing, allowing the virus to spread unnoticed. Unsafe blood transfusions from poorly regulated private blood banks and inadequate screening have also been identified as major risk factors.
ART Centre data show that among the new cases, 56 were from the general population, 37 were men who have sex with men, and seven were infected through blood transfusions.
District-wise, Khulna recorded the highest number of cases (49), followed by Bagerhat (16), Narail (11), Satkhira (11), Jashore (6), Gopalganj (3), Pirojpur (2), Kushtia (1), and Rajbari (1).
Of the 23 AIDS-related deaths in the past year, 17 were men. The highest number of deaths was reported in Jashore (7), followed by Khulna, Narail, and Satkhira with four each.
Hospital officials stressed the need for greater awareness, safer blood transfusion practices, and expanded testing to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region.
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