HIV infection is gradually making its way into a wider cross section of Bhutanese population can be what read from the release of status report on HIV prevalence in GNH country, Bhutan. Twenty five new cases of HIV positive, most of who are above 50, have been detected in the last six months, raising the total infected to 346.
In an earlier press release by the Ministry of Health, national HIV/AIDS status report read, ‘The ministry of health diagnosed 24 new cases December 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.’ This also means, every six months 24/25 people are infected by HIV in Bhutan.
According to the kuensel, since June of this year, 15 men and 10 women have been detected to have carried the HIV virus. “As of June 30th the cumulative HIV cases detected through HIV testing services available in the hospitals is 321”, read the earlier press release.
Namgay Tshering, the program manager of HIV/AIDS and STI control program, see that there is progress in preventing HIV prevalence among children for the last six months since no children found HIV positive. Until June of this year, 27 HIV positive children below 15 years are found living.
Most of the HIV transmission is attributed to the unsafe sexual behavior, said the program manager.
Of the total 346 diagnosed positive, 60 have died so far including those on anti-retro viral treatment.
At present 149 HIV positive people are undergoing ARV treatment in the country.
HIV in Bhutan is prevalent in every occupational category, the highest reported among the unemployed, according to the finding.
