September 29, 2025
DHAKA – In contrast to the global decline in HIV infections and deaths, Bangladesh is witnessing a troubling rise in both cases and fatalities — a trend that has raised public health concerns.
The country recorded 1,438 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 326 deaths from HIV infections last year. The numbers show a marked increase from 2023, when 1,276 people tested positive for the virus and 266 died, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) data.
In the first six months of this year, 882 HIV-positive cases were reported, indicating a further rise in infections, said a DGHS official, adding that data on HIV-related deaths in 2025 is yet to be compiled.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases, and if left untreated, can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Attributing the rise in infections to increased testing, health officials said around 23 percent of those potentially living with HIV remain unaware of their health status.
They fear that a lack of funding for preventive services could result in a further increase in the positivity rate and make it more difficult for the country to achieve the target of eliminating AIDS by 2030.
The expiry of a government programme in June last year caused serious disruptions to preventive services — such as the distribution of condoms, needles, and syringes among key populations, including people who inject drugs, female sex workers and transgender individuals, noted officials.
Altogether, these groups comprise 3.22 lakh people and accounted for half of the HIV cases last year.
In Bangladesh, the first HIV case was detected in 1989. The total number of HIV-positive cases stood at 12,422 till last year. Of them, 2,412 died.
DECLINING GLOBALLY BUT RISING IN BANGLADESH
The detection of the first HIV case in the US in 1981 prompted a global public health response.
Efforts of communities and governments brought down HIV infections by 40 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 56 percent globally since 2010, according to UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2025.
The global number of HIV infections was 29 lakh and AIDS-related deaths 18 lakh in 2000. The numbers declined to 13 lakh and 6.3 lakh respectively last year, shows UNAIDS report.
But the caseload and deaths saw a gradual rise in Bangladesh over the last few decades, said officials of National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and AIDS/STD Programme (TB-L & ASP) under the DGHS.
One of the officials said the expansion of HIV screening in many districts has led to an increase in case detection in recent times.
Over the last decade, the number of HIV tests rose to 16.12 lakh from 83,356 in 2016. Besides, another 10.34 lakh people underwent HIV tests as part of standard health screening during the period.
DGHS data shows that 77 percent of those potentially living with HIV were aware of their health status as of last year.
According to UNAIDS’s target set in 2014, 95 percent of people living with HIV are supposed to know their status by 2030.
SERVICES DISRUPTED
As the time frame for the TB-L & ASP ended in June last year, DGHS now has to rely on foreign donors to continue tests and medication for HIV patients at dedicated centres.
However, the preventive services are seeing disruptions due to a shortage of funds, a DGHS official said, adding that key populations remain out of coverage in 25 districts.
When asked, Zubaida Nasreen, deputy director of the AIDS/STD Programme, said there is a gap between the actual number of HIV-positive people and those who are potentially living with HIV.
“These people were always there, but a rise in testing is now making them visible,” Zubaida, also the immediate past line director of the TB-L and ASP Programme, told The Daily Star on September 25.
Replying to a question, she said the expiry of the programme caused some disruptions in preventive services, but it would be inaccurate to claim that 25 districts are without coverage.
A development project proposal prepared by the DGHS now awaits approval. Once approved, preventive services will be provided seamlessly, she added.