CHITWAN: A total of 80 new HIV infections have been detected in Chitwan district over the past nine months during screenings conducted among high-risk groups.
The infections were identified through tests conducted on 223 individuals by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) at Bharatpur Hospital. Including the newly diagnosed cases, 91 patients started antiretroviral (ARV) treatment during the period.
With the addition of these patients, the total number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) through the foundation has reached 1,293.
According to Dr. Pramod Paudel, a physician at Bharatpur Hospital, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were also detected in 52 individuals during screenings of 1,161 people.
He added that tuberculosis (TB) is also common among people living with HIV/AIDS. Sputum tests conducted on 148 individuals detected TB in 15 cases.