President calls on world leaders to unite in fight against HIV/AIDS

Rasika SOMARATHNA

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on world leaders to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS while inaugurating the 08th International Congress on AIDS in the Asia\ Pacific region yesterday.

The President reiterated that the Government was committed in combatting the scourge of AIDS, even though Sri Lanka was considered as a low prevalent country with only 0.1% of the total population having been infected.

“When I see the large number of distinguished persons from across Asia and the Pacific and beyond, to witness and participate in this important international event, it gives me great hope and joy to know that the world community continues to join hands in its response to HIV/AIDS,” the President said addressing the gathering at the BMICH.

The forum with the theme of “Waves of Change/Waves of Hope” is to deliberate and exchange frank and meaningful views with regards to the ongoing activities and new developments in the field of HIV/AIDS for four days from tomorrow onwards, with the intention of pooling all resources in combatting the menace.

Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva thanked all the delegates from foreign countries for participating at the event.

The Minister pointing out that this was the biggest health event in Sri Lanka’s recent history said more than 2,500 delegates from 70 countries participated, even though there was a travel embargo by some countries.

Minister de Silva emphasised that the Government remained committed to preserving the free health services with all the benefits it accrues to the people, while pointing out that the countries health indicators were on par with the developed countries.

The forum would discuss all relevant issues for four more days at the BMICH with the intention of making it a spring board to achieving the desired goals in the field of educating and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The Congress is hosted by the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition with the support of a local organizing committee comprising of numerous private and public organisations.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa further said in his opening address to the eighth ICAAP “when I see the large number of distinguished persons from across the Asia and Pacific region and beyond, to witness and participate in this important international event, it fills me with great hope to know that the world community continues to join hands in its response to HIV and AIDS”.

“At the outset, I wish to commend the Ministry of Health and the Local Organizing Committee for their excellent organisational skills. My thanks go to everyone who provided expertise in helping to meet the goals of the Congress.

“I also wish to pay tribute to the many UN Agencies, including the World Bank, skilfully coordinated by the hard work of UNAIDS, for supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to make this important event a success with financial, material and human resource inputs; the President said”.

“I firmly believed that political leadership at the highest level in any country is a vital catalyst in transforming societies. What we do as leaders now will be remembered in the future and will have a direct impact on the lives of future generations.

This is especially relevant to measures that are necessary in bringing about changes in attitude and behaviour among the public.

Leadership would also have an impact at policy development and at administrative levels leading to improved attitudes of government officials. All these aspects will uphold our efforts towards strengthening prevention and the control of HIV AIDS”, he said.

President Rajapaksa said: Sri Lanka is considered a country with a low prevalence of HIV infection.

At first glance, it may seem that there is no threat to us. Yet, I am pleased that communities from countries in the Asia and Pacific region have come to Colombo, to work together, to share their experiences and enter into dialogue about HIV/AIDS because low prevalence does not necessarily mean no threat.

Sri Lanka like other low prevalence countries must remain vigilant to the threat of HIV/AIDS.

“It is interesting to note that AIDS affects less than 0.1 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population, among high risk groups, it affects less than one per cent. The latest statistics show that up to May 2007, a grand total of 872 persons had been diagnosed as HIV positive, of whom 220 had developed AIDS and 162 had died.

“Comparatively small as this figure is in the international context of this great menace, we will not pat overselves on our backs. For, every death is one too many. Every victim is one too many.

Yet, it is important and encouraging to note that as experts see it, Sri Lanka will not have a general epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the country, although it has all the factors normally conducive to a high escalation of AIDS victim,” the President said.

“This points to the importance of policies that are directed against addiction to drugs, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption, which are generally considered the stepping stones to substance abuse and addiction. Action to prevent such addiction, comprise key aspects of the social policy of our government. ‘Mathata Thitha’ full stop to alcohol, tobacco and drugs.”

“Internationally it is important that speedy action is taken to ensure that the drugs to combat this major hazard are readily available to those in need.

The new drugs that are being developed should be readily available to the people who are in need as well as to governments. This should not be and undue strain on latter’s budgets especially in the less develop or poorer countries of the world.

“Undoubtedly, it is essential that wherever possible the State should join hands with the private sector particularly the manufacturers and marketers of these drugs to ensure that they are available to the people at reasonable and affordable prices.

The threat to the well-being of humanity posed by HIV/AIDS is such that it is necessary to re-think established policies with regard to patents and ownership of essential drugs and think in terms of more liberal policies that are based on the needs of the people,” the President said.

“I invite all heads of Governments to join together in harmonising our leadership approaches across the Asia and Pacific region and improve the lot of all our people in the face of the advancing danger of HIV and AIDS.

As a mark of such solidarity we must join hands within our respective countries and across borders throughout the Asia-Pacific region, to achieve our objectives, in limiting and hopefully eliminating the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The challenge of HIV ‘AIDS is so great that we as political leaders must give it the highest priority, because denial of the crisis can have serious consequences on economic development, social advancement and the very future of our societies.

My Government has given the highest priority to the improvement of the health of our people. By way of example, the budgetary provisions for health have been increased to ensure a better quality of care to the people of Sri Lanka.

The health gains that Sri Lanka has seen, as evidenced by the improving health indicators, are a result of the positive social security measures undertaken by successive Governments such as free healthcare and free education.

Provision of free care and treatment to all those living with HIV is the policy of my Government, President Rajapaksa said.

“Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, the care and treatment of people living with HIV, their welfare and that of their families and children, the upholding of their rights, the elimination of stigma and discrimination, will continue to receive the highest priority from the government.

For I am, by virtue of my religion, a firm believer in the Buddha’s noble words “Arogya Parama Labha” meaning, as most of you probably know, Good health is the greatest gain.”

In closing, I invite you warmly to appreciate the beauty of our country and enjoy our traditionally warm hospitality. And I enjoin you, as you leave our shores, to take away the sentiments enshrined in this timeless blessing - Ayubovan - May you have the blessing of long life,”.

“Wish this Congress all success in its endeavours,” President Rajapaksa said.

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