Three people die of AIDS in A’Pura District

By Dayaratne Embogama  

Health authorities in the Anuradhapura District said three people including a woman in the Anuradhapura district had died of AIDS  during the last nine months of the year.   

A Senior Medical officer of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Unit Dr. Hema Weerakoon told the media that eleven patients had been identified from January this year, increasing the number of patients to 65. She said more than 40 people were obtaining regular treatment at the clinics.  

Dr. Mrs.Weerakoon said more than 50 percent of the HIV contracted patients in the Anuradhapura District were homosexuals. She pointed out that at least 40 percent of the patients all over the country were homosexuals and the rest were those indulging in unsafe sexual activities.   

“ The Ministry of Health has launched a crash programme to eradicate AIDS from Sri Lanka by 2025. The Anuradhapura District Sexually Transmitted Diseases Unit has especially expanded its preventive measures in the district. Any individual having suspicion of being affected by HIV could undergo free medical tests and obtain treatment confidentially,”it is said   

The Ministry of Health has launched a crash programme to eradicate AIDS from 
Sri Lanka by 2025. The Anuradhapura District Sexually Transmitted Diseases Unit has especially expanded its preventive measures in the district

-Dr. Hema Weerakoon