Chitwan, Oct 14: Eighty new cases of HIV/AIDS infection have been recorded in the district over the past nine months. The infections were detected during screenings conducted among high-risk groups from January 2024 to the present.
The infections were identified during tests performed on 223 individuals by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) at Bharatpur Hospital. Including the newly diagnosed cases, a total of 91 patients have started taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication during this period.
With this addition, the total number of patients receiving ART medication through the Foundation has reached 1,293.
According to Dr. Pramod Paudel, a physician at the hospital, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were also detected in 52 of the HIV-positive individuals during screening. The STIs were identified while testing 1,161 people.
He also noted that tuberculosis (TB) is frequently observed among HIV/AIDS patients. Sputum tests conducted on 148 individuals revealed TB in 15 cases.
