Public awareness vital to combat AIDS - Health Minister

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: Public awareness is vital in fighting AIDS and the Government is aware of the difficulties in educating the public on HIV/AIDS. It would strive to dispel certain cultural and social attitudes among the public in the fight against AIDS, Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

"Most of the people in our country are ignorant of certain facts on sexually transmitted diseases , preventive methods and the sex industry," the Minister said.

Addressing a meeting with the eighth ICAAP organising committee and diplomats at the Galle Face Hotel on Tuesday on the presentation of the 8th International Congress on HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) - to be held in August at BMICH. Minister De Silva also said the political leadership would be given under his Ministry's direct participation towards this endeavour.

The Minister drew the attention of the diplomats about the workshops and seminars which have been successfully concluded in the country recently.

The eighth ICAAP Co-chair Prof. A.H. Sheriffdeen brought the attention of the Minister on the need for amending certain laws and regulations allowing women to carry certain accessories permitting safe sex.

ICAAP Co-chairs Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon, Bradman Weerakoon also addressed the meeting.