Bangladesh is a low prevalence (less than 1per cent for the last five consecutive years) but a high risk country in terms of HIV & AIDS. Up to December 2006, the reported case of HIV infection is 874, among those 240 turned to AIDS. Only in 2006, 216 were reported newly HIV infected case. The reasons for which Bangladesh is at high risk are - large commercial sex industry, low levels of consistent condom use, high rates of active Syphilis among the vulnerable groups (e.g. sex workers, Hijras, MSM), needle-sharing among injecting drug users, lack of knowledge on HIV and AIDS among general population and migration to and from neighbouring countries. Due to lack of testing facilities for HIV, religious issue, cultural sensitivity, threat of social exclusion and stigma for HIV positive people, the number of the reported cases is lower than the actual number. Around 300 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the area of STD & AIDS has formed a network and about 135 are actively engaged in HIV & AIDS-related activities in the country. Though the Government of Bangladesh has prepared the National Strategic Plan for HIV & AIDS for the period 2004-2010 under the guidance of National AIDS Committee (NAC), but the implementation progress is yet to be satisfactory. The actual number of children (age below 18 years) infected and affected by HIV and AIDS is unknown and the initiatives for these children are quite neglected by both the government and the NGOs.
Save the Children Sweden Denmark and HIV & AIDS
HIV & AIDS is a cross cutting issue of Save the Children Sweden Denmark. There is no separate partner of Save the Children Sweden Denmark for HIV & AIDS. HIV & AIDS integration is going on with the existing partner organisations which will ultimately lead to HIV & AIDS mainstreaming.
Save the Children Sweden Denmark’s focus for HIV & AIDS is on preventive works with children and young people (15-24) through friendly BCC and IEC materials and especially through working with men and boys. At the same time realising that we are finding HIV & AIDS positive children in our programme. The aim is to reduce the associated stigma and discrimination, create a space for direct service (including Anti Retroviral Therapy- ART) for the children living with HIV and AIDS, as well as to prevent further spread.