AIDS rising in Sri Lanka

285 cases of HIV positive cases detected in 2017 Spread of HIV/AIDS is rising among all age groupsincluding 15 to 24 age group

HIV was gradually increasing in Sri Lanka with 285 cases, the highest number ever recorded, being diagnosed or detected last year, Consultant Venereologist Dr Lilani Rajapaksa said.

She was addressing a seminar for media personnel held at the Health Education Bureau on the theme Know Your Status to End Aids by 2025.“Early detection and swift treatment can control AIDS and prevent HIV infected deaths,” Dr Rajapaksa said.

“The transmission of HIV among the high-risk population, including sex workers, homosexuals, beach boys and drug users, could be curbed by regular blood tests,” Dr Rajapaksa said.

The main factor in the fight to control HIV/AIDS was the awareness and need to follow medical advice and uninterrupted treatment until the HIV virus was suppressed by at least a 90%, she said.

“The spread of HIV/AIDS is rising among all age groups including the 15 to 24 age group,” she said.

“Facts about sexuallytransmitted diseases and its prevention are not openly discussed. Inadequate knowledge and myths in society not only make people susceptible to HIV but also increases stigma and discrimination, leading to complex social problems,” she said.meanwhile, Consultant Venereologist Dr K.A.M. Ariyaratne said there were an estimated 3,117 patients infected with HIV living in Sri Lanka.“in 2017 alone, 85 new cases were reported, which was the highest ever recorded. Sri Lanka was one of the countries in South East Asia with a rising HIV incidence.

“In Sri Lanka, five new HIV infections were reported to National STD/AIDS control programme every week. The majority of those affected locally have had unprotected sexual relationships. The number of HIV infections reported among homosexuals is also said to be on the rise,” he said. “prevention is well within the reach of every citizen. Prevention is possible mainly by committing to a mutually monogamous relationship. When there is more than one sexual partner HIV can be prevented by the correct use of condoms during intercourse.

“It can also be prevented by testing and treating the infected patients with Antiretroviral Drugs (HIV drugs) and making their viral concentrations undetectable in the blood.

The National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) is the focal point for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV in Sri Lanka. Under the NSACP there are 33 full-time STD clinics and 23 branches around the country. Of these 21 have the capacity to provide treatments for patients living with HIV free-of-charge.

“Other than the curative care provided by the clinics, attempts have been made to reach vulnerable populations through prisons, the tourist sector, migrants and youth as special clinics, awareness programmes and blood testing programmes.

Since the end of 2016, screening of all the pregnant mothers for Syphilis and HIV was in place covering all 25 districts, with the partnership of STD and Maternal and Child health services in the country.

The spread of HIV/AIDS is rising among all age groups including the 15 to 24 age group