12 Homose*xual Students Infected with AIDS, 25 New Patients Identified in Jessore

This year, 25 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in Jessore, including 12 students, all of whom are homosexuals. Dr. Harun Or Rashid, Superintendent of Jessore 250-bed General Hospital, confirmed this information during a day-long HIV/AIDS workshop held at the hospital's conference room on Tuesday. He noted that typically, working-class individuals engaging in unprotected sex are identified as HIV/AIDS patients, making this the first time students have been reported as infected. Describing the situation as alarming, Dr. Harun emphasized the importance of promoting social and religious values to control uncontrolled sexual behavior and called on religious leaders to take an active role in this effort. At the district-level workshop, it was reported that the number of HIV/AIDS patients in Bangladesh currently stands at 16,000, with 10,000 tests conducted. The goal is to provide treatment to 95% of infected individuals by 2030. The workshop was organized by the PLHIV Network (PN Plus) and Ashar Alo Society (AAS) in collaboration with Save the Children. Participants discussed the increasing number of homosexuals, with students from various educational institutions becoming more open about their identities and behaviors. This shift, they noted, reflects a more Westernized way of thinking, with students moving more freely and without restriction, contributing to a growing societal concern. PN Plus General Secretary Md. Hafizuddin Munna presented the data at the workshop.