Rise in HIV infections in Anuradhapura

• Majority of the patients were males

By Dayaratne Embogama   

 Health authorities in Anuradhapura District expressed  concern about the increasing rate of HIV-affected patients in the  district.   

 Anuradhapura District Director of Health Services Dr.  Nimal Ariyaratne said 19 HIV-contracted patients had been identified for  this year and that the rate of HIV infection were increasing in alarming  proportions.    

 Addressing a seminar organised by Rajaratha Vidya Foundation he said ten patients had been identified by November this year.   

 “Several NGOs are helping us to identify HIV-positive  cases. An analysis of the statistics signalled the increasing rate of  patients. We have organised 41 clinics to identify the patients. The majority of the patients were males. This sharp increase of males should  be attributed to homosexual relations,” he said.   

 Medical Specialists in Sexually Transmitted Diseases,  Dr.Ajith Karavita and Dr. Thilani Ratnayaka, Dr. Hema Weerakoon,  Lecturers of the Rajarata University Asitha Malaviarachchi and Susith  Siriwardene were present at 
the occasion.