Chitwan, October 14
Eighty new HIV infections have been recorded in the district over the past nine months.
The infections were detected through screenings conducted among high-risk groups. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) identified the cases while testing 223 individuals at Bharatpur Hospital.
Including the newly diagnosed cases, a total of 91 patients started antiretroviral (ARV) treatment during this period. With these additions, the total number of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) 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 HIV-positive individuals during screening. The STIs were identified through tests conducted on 1,161 people.
Paudel also noted that tuberculosis (TB) is frequently found among people living with HIV/AIDS. Sputum tests conducted on 148 individuals detected TB in 15 cases.
