As per HIV/AIDS prevalence rate and the number of people living with this, AIDS is still not a serious threat to Bangladesh, however, it can rise suddenly due to the lack of proper knowledge and awareness, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said at a roundtable yesterday. 

At the roundtable titled "HIV/AIDS Awareness: Our Responsibilities" held at the office of the Bangla daily Prothom Alo in the capital, the minister said the funds allocated for HIV/AIDS programmes are not sufficient; moreover, the officials are reluctant to properly utilise the funds.

At the event, jointly organised by Prothom Alo and Standard Chartered Bank, Inu assured all of persuading the government to increase the fund in the next budget for preventing AIDS.

Meher Afroz Chumki, state minister for women and children affairs, said floating prostitutes should be included in the AIDS prevention programmes besides brothels and awareness should also be raised among teenage girls.

Matiur Rahman, editor of Prothom Alo, said campaigns, assistance and initiatives of the government are very important for controlling and treating HIV and the newspaper is also strengthening its campaign with assistance from Standard Chartered Bank for fighting the deadly disease.

Prof Dr Nazrul Islam, virologist and former vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, urged the health ministry to keep medicine supply smooth and available for such patients.

Abdul Qayyum, associate editor of Prothom Alo, moderated the roundtable where Saima Khan, advisor, UNAIDS Bangladesh, also spoke.