Kathmandu, November 30

Over a period of a decade, a drastic 22 per cent decrease has been recorded in the number of HIV/ AIDS patients in Nepal.

According to a report by National Center for AIDS and STD control, the total number of HIV/AIDS patients stood at 70,000 in 2007. In recent times, 13,000 people have been estimated to be newly infected, a sharp drop from the previous years.

Dr Tarun Paudel, director at National Center for AIDS and STD Control said unsafe sex as well as lack of awareness had earlier led to an alarming rise in HIV infections.

Entertainment workers, drug addicts, third genders, prison inmates and immigrants were found to be at high risk of HIV infection.

As per the latest data of 2015, 39,397 people were infected, where 24,449 were male and 14,948 were female. Similarly, each year 0.2 per cent of people between the age of 15 and 49 years are infected with HIV.

Paudel said due to the massive expansion of antiretroviral therapy, the number of people dying in the country has reduced. He informed that there are 263 HIV testing and council centers and 65 ART centers across the country.

“It is tragic that many of the infected people remain unaware of their condition. However, even when they are aware, the stigma attached to the disease prevents them from seeking early treatment.

It is crucial to inform them by launching more effective awareness campaigns,” said Paudel.