Banke Records 39 New HIV Cases in Four Months

Banke district has recorded 39 new HIV cases in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the District Health Office. Last fiscal year, the district had reported 80 new cases.

HIV focal person Rabindra Shah said the newly identified cases include 27 men and 12 women. Of them, eight are above 39 years of age, while the remaining 31 fall in the 15–49 age group.

Health officials say the infection rate has gradually declined due to wider awareness and testing efforts. HIV patients receive free medication from Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, which also conducts confirmatory tests.

In fiscal year 2080/81 BS (2023–24), Banke had reported a total of 101 HIV cases.