The number of HIV infected has been gradually going down in the recent years in Jhapa. In the year 2073 BS, the number of HIV infected was 16 in the district while this number was more than double (43) in the 2072 BS.
According to District Public Health Office (DPHO) Jhapa's program officer, Kul Bahadur Poudel, last year (2073 BS), 3099 men and 1,105 women underwent the blood test and among them, eight men and the equal number of women tested positive. Likewise, one infected died in the period.
However, the number of HIV-infected was counted at 67 in 2071 BS, 12 more than the previous year (2070 BS). In the past five years (from 2070-74 BS), a total of 184 HIV infected--103 men and 81 women-- have been detected in the district. In this period of five years, four women and six men succumbed.
Presently, there are 461 HIV—255 men and 206 women-- infected in the district, according to programme officer Paudel. Among them, 457 are under the course of antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV test is free in all the district-based health facilities where the maternal services are available.
Others various organizations such as Diamond Society, Sahara Nepal, Amda Nepal, Laba Kusha Assam, Night Chess Club and DPHO Jhapa are operating awareness programs about HIV in the district.
