The bank, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has initiated a programme titled 'Caring patients living with AIDS' under which the HIV-positive people receive medical support and food supplements.

At a programme held at a city hotel yesterday, the bank distributed treatment cards to 27 patients, raising the number of card holders to 50. Last year, 23 HIV positives received the cards.

The bank provides the card holders with medicines, clinical support and food supplements, said the DBBL authorities.

Addressing the programme, DBBL Managing Director Yeasin Ali said everybody has a duty to serve society and the bank has been doing this through various social programmes.

The HIV positives are the most distressed group in society, he said, adding that everyone should come forward to help them live a normal life.

He also stressed the need for improving the diagnostic system to easily detect the virus.

Yeasin Ali called on the people to extend support to HIV/AIDS patients so that they do not feel ostracised.

He also reiterated the bank's continuous support for the HIV positives.

Maj. Gen. (retd.) Dr ASM Motiur Rahman, chairman of Technical Sub-Committee of National AIDS Committee, distributed the cards as the chief guest.

Dr Motiur said the HIV/AIDS patients suffer from social deprivation. So, they need not only treatment but also sympathy, cooperation, mental support and care, he added.

Lauding the bank's initiatives, he called on the well-off people and other organisations to come forward to help such patients.

Referring to official and NGO statistics, he said the number of HIV positives in the country is much smaller compared to other South Asian countries and it is time to take steps to prevent spread of the deadly disease.

Dr Motiur also called for raising awareness about HIV/AIDS among the people.

Habiba Akhter, an NGO representative, Dr Mozammel Hossain Khan, medical consultant of DBBL, KS Tabrez, deputy managing director of DBBL, and Brother Ronald were also present at the programme.