‘Prevention is better than cure’ in Bangladesh

BANGLADESH — The number of HIV/AIDS cases in Bangladesh is low. According to UNAIDS estimates, at the end of 2002, of a population of 136 million, 13,000 adults and children were living with HIV. The Rev James Halder, Executive Secretary of the Bangladesh Bible Society, cites the official figure for reported cases of HIV as 381.

According to a World Bank website, however, significant under-reporting occurs because of the country’s limited testing and counselling facilities and the omnipresent social stigma which leads to the fear of being diagnosed as HIV-positive.

Because surveys have revealed that high-risk behaviour is extensive in Bangladesh, however, some agencies, recognising that prompt action is needed now to prevent the virus from taking hold, have swung into action with education resources. The Bangladesh Bible Society is one of them.

The HIV/AIDS Selection which the Society has published is called AIDS: Angel of Death. Some people might find its cover shocking: it depicts a horned devil with red, staring eyes and a serpent coming out of its mouth poised over a woman who lies in bed, apparently unaware of its presence.

According to Mr Halder, however, it is aimed at the whole community and is proving very useful.