AIDS Spread in Rohingya Camps: Rising Cases

Photo: Collected

(Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar): The number of AIDS patients in the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar is steadily increasing. Through the HIV/AIDS screening initiative launched with the help of the United Nations in 2017, by June 2022, 954 patients were identified, with 771 of them being Rohingya. Experts believe that if the screening efforts are expanded further, the number of infected individuals may rise even more. HIV transmission among both the local and Rohingya populations in Cox’s Bazar has become a major concern.

The primary reasons for the rise in AIDS infections among the Rohingya are identified as a lack of awareness regarding sexual health and negligence regarding safe sexual practices. The absence of health awareness and education about sexual health in the camps is contributing to the spread of the disease. Experts believe that this situation has reached a critical point and that urgent awareness campaigns need to be launched.

Statements from Various People

Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, Civil Surgeon of Cox’s Bazar, said, “There are several reasons behind the rising AIDS infections in the Rohingya camps. HIV was already present among the Rohingya in Myanmar, but when they sought refuge in Bangladesh, the transmission of the disease spread more rapidly. They had no health awareness, and the disease is continuing to spread for various reasons.” He further stated, “Our health workers are making continuous efforts, but the lack of awareness and insufficient information on safe sexual relations has made the situation more complex.”

However, some Rohingya residents in the camps who have become aware of the issue are concerned about the situation. A 35-year-old Rohingya woman, Rina (pseudonym), living in the camp said, “I did not know about this disease before, but now many of us are worried. We don’t know if anyone among us is infected. Many of those who underwent screening have been found to be infected. We are scared that no one else will get infected.”

Shafiqul Rahman, a local health worker from Cox’s Bazar, stated, “From what we know, most Rohingya women are unaware of their health services, and as a result, they are unable to maintain safe sexual practices, which increases the risk of transmission.”

Cases

In 2018, Maulana Shahin (pseudonym), a 30-year-old male Rohingya who came for treatment at a primary health camp in the Rohingya camps, shared his life experience. He said, “I did not know how important it was to be cautious about sexual health and AIDS. We had various types of sexual relations in Myanmar without any safety measures. After coming to Bangladesh, some people in the camp have become aware of this disease, but many are still not aware.” Like Shahin, there are many others who are being infected because they do not have accurate knowledge about the disease.

An official from an international NGO working in the Rohingya camps, Sara Khan, said, “We are conducting regular health camps and seminars, but almost all Rohingyas living in the camps know very little about sexual health. Some people are getting screened, but others are not interested in these matters. They are unaware of these problems, and because of this lack of awareness, the disease is spreading.”

Progress in Health Services

Since the HIV screening program began in Cox’s Bazar in 2017, there has been an increase in the number of infections among the Rohingyas. The screening is being conducted under the UN AIDS project in collaboration with local health authorities. However, many believe that the current steps are insufficient, given the rising number of cases.

Dr. Kamrul Islam, a doctor at Cox’s Bazar General Hospital, said, “To address the current situation, we need not only screening but also a larger-scale awareness campaign, expanded testing facilities, and improved healthcare services. It is essential to ensure that everyone living in the camps can access timely medical treatment.”

Necessary Steps for Prevention

Experts suggest that the most crucial step to prevent the spread of AIDS in the Rohingya camps is raising awareness and promoting safe sexual education. Local health workers in Cox’s Bazar see the need to improve the screening program so that patients are identified and treated in a timely manner. Furthermore, they recommend providing treatment to those at high risk of infection and increasing public awareness of HIV prevention.

Meanwhile, local authorities and NGOs in Cox’s Bazar are emphasizing the need for joint efforts to provide more effective healthcare services. Experts believe that if the government and international organizations increase their involvement and expand healthcare initiatives, it will be possible to prevent the spread of AIDS in the Rohingya camps.