SATKHIRA: Some 865 persons have been affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Bangladesh in 2017. Of them, 639 are male, 213 are female and 13 are hermaphrodite.

The disclosure was made at an AIDS prevention workshop in Satkhira civil surgeon’s office on Wednesday (June 27).

Civil Surgeon Dr. Towhidur Rahman presided over the workshop, organized by a non-profit private organization Lighthouse, where Satkhira sadar circle Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Merina Akhter spoke as chief guest. 

Moreover, Satkhira Press Club's former General Secretary M Kamruzzaman, Kaliganj Upazila Health Officer Dr. Akhmedur Rahman, Assistant Director of Social Welfare Director Harun-Ar-Rashid, Satkhira Municipality Councilor Farha Diba Khan Sathi also delivered speeches as chief guests. 

The workshop further disclosed that a total of 5,586 persons were affected by AIDS from 1989 to December 2017. Of them, 924 AIDS patient have died.

The workshop was organized to create awareness about the deadly disease urging people from all walks of life to come together in preventing AIDS.

Government officials, teachers, journalists, public representatives, lawyers and religious leaders also took part in the daylong workshop.

BDST: 1740 HRS, JUNE 27, 2018
AP/SMS