AIDS being diagnosed daily

21 April 2011 12:31 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government today said at least one person was being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka each day.

Addressing a UN programme by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said there were more than 3000 people suspected of being HIV/AIDS positive in Sri Lanka of which only 1250 had been identified.

The UN development programme Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria provides financial support to low and middle income countries to fight the three diseases.

“There is a relatively low prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the country.

However statistics show that if we do not take effective measures to control it now, we may have to face enormous consequences in the future,” the Minister said adding that 61% of those who are HIV/AIDS positive were in the Western Province.

National STD/AIDS control programme Director, Dr. Nimal Edirisinghe said those among the riskiest were female sex workers, men engaging in contact with men, drug users, beach boys and prisoners.

“There are 40,000 sex workers, 35,000 same gender contact among men, 40,000 heroin users of whom more than 1% inject drugs in the country. If we educate these people and provide HIV treatment for those who need it we can control the disease and ensure that it does not spread any further,” Dr. Edirisinghe said.

GFATM Health Ministry Project Director, Dr. Rabindra Abeysinghe said through the programme Sri Lanka would receive US $12.5 million dollars for the next five years for the screening of infection, HIV/AIDS treatment, counseling and educating the public. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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Comments - 7

The Undertaker Thursday, 21 April 2011 12:44 PM

SOONER OR LATER- WE ARE GOING TO LOOSE THE AIDS(UN ISSUE) AND GET MORE AIDS/HIV TO OUR COUNTRY -OVER TO YOU MR.PRESIDENT/HEALTH MINISTER

Yehiya-Doha Thursday, 21 April 2011 02:48 PM

Dear Minister. I thanks to your effort to do agood job to health ministry. There are lot of development in the ministry.

sxhabeeb Friday, 22 April 2011 05:23 AM

more awareness programms needed.

TMA Friday, 22 April 2011 05:26 AM

So, blocking the porn sites didn't work???

XXX Friday, 22 April 2011 07:22 AM

Perhaps this must be the consequences of blocking porn sites …

subhani Friday, 22 April 2011 07:47 AM

lol!:P

Royle Friday, 22 April 2011 11:46 PM

Western Province? Obviously, did you think of finding HIV in UVA or Mahiyangana?

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AIDS being diagnosed daily

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