Jashore is witnessing an alarming rise in HIV infections, particularly among students. According to the Health Division, over 40 people have been infected with HIV in the first ten months of this year up to October, including 25 students. Many of those infected have already developed AIDS. The age of these students ranges from 17 to 23 years. This figure is significantly higher than last year, raising serious concern among health experts and parents.
Sources at Jashore 250-Bed Hospital reported that from January to October this year, of the 40 infected individuals, 23 are male and 14 are female. Most concerningly, 25 of them are students. Last year (2024), out of 25 total infections, 12 were students, whereas this year the number has more than doubled in just ten months.
Additionally, 23 of the newly infected individuals have been reported to be homosexual. Last year, a total of 25 people were infected with HIV in Jashore, with five deaths among the affected.
Currently, the hospital’s Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre is providing treatment to 220 HIV and AIDS patients. These patients come not only from Jashore but also from other districts in the Khulna Division.
With a population of approximately 30.46 lakh, Jashore has roughly one AIDS patient per 100,000 people. Experts believe that being a border district, along with surrounding circumstances, has contributed to the rapid spread of the disease. The surge in infections among young students is particularly worrying.
Dr. Kaniz Fatema, Chief Coordinator of the ART Centre at the hospital, said, “The rate of HIV infection among young people is currently increasing at an alarming rate. Their curiosity now appears to be more toward the same sex than the opposite sex, which reflects a form of social deviation. This trend is growing particularly due to uncontrolled use of the internet. We are observing this phenomenon clearly, especially among school, college, and university students.”