Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Busan (Agenzia Fides) - Since 2001, new HIV/AIDS infections have declined by 20% in 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific area. However, the prevalence rate among drug users who inject drugs is increasing dramatically in Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines. These are the findings in a recent United Nations report released at the end of the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, which has just concluded in Busan, South Korea. According to estimates, in Pakistan, the prevalence of HIV cases has doubled among those who inject drugs, from 11% in 2005 to 21% in 2008. In Bangladesh, there was an increase from 1.4% in 2000 to 7% in 2007, latest figures available. In the Philippines, which should be less at risk considering the smaller number of addicts in addition to being outside the main market for heroin, is experiencing rapid growth of the epidemic. In Cebu, according to the report, the prevalence of HIV among those who inject drugs has increased from 0.6% to 53% between 2009 and 2011. Because of the vastness of its population, India currently has about half of HIV cases in the whole of Asia, with 2.4 million infected people. In 2009 140 000 new infections were registered, which caused the death of 170 thousand Indians. 39% of all HIV cases are among women, most of which are infected by their partners. Approximately 320,074 people are being treated with antiretrovirals. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 30/08/2011)
