Rs 3,550 m for HIV prevention

Disna MUDALIGE

The Global Fund has granted approval for the release of Rs 3,550 million for two project proposals by Sri Lanka for HIV prevention in the country and strengthening of the health service in the Northern Province by controlling AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena addressing the launch of the HIV/AIDS Component of the Global Fund- Round 9 held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday said that grants are received for five years. The initial amount is given for two years and the rest of the amount will be granted after evaluating the success of the projects, he said.

The minister said that plans are underway to build 10 new residences for Medical Officers of Health and 25 buildings for OPDs in 11 hospitals in the North by using a share of this monetary assistance.

He pointed out that HIV prevention is an emerging challenge in the country. "It is believed that there are around 3,000 HIV patients living in Sri Lanka. Thousand two hundred and fifty are clearly identified as HIV positive. It is estimated that one HIV patient is daily adding to the records. Under these circumstances national and international unity, corporation and coordination are highly important to face this challenge," he noted.

He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government to the Global Fund for extending the grant. He said that 61 percent of the country's HIV patients are in the Western Province while 33 percent of the country's population is in the Western Province.

National STD/AIDS Control Programme Director Dr Nimal Edirisinghe said that the HIV prevention project will be targeting high risk groups including sex workers, homosexuals and drug addicts. He noted that there are about 40,000 sex workers, 35,000 homosexuals and 40,000 drug addicts in the country. One percent of the drug addicts inject the drug, he said.

He also said that a special programme for HIV prevention will be implemented in prisons throughout the country since all these three types of target groups are found in prisons.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr Palitha Maheepala and many senior officials and doctors participated in this occasion.