First HIV, AIDS National Policy launch today

Irangika Range

Sri Lanka will launch the first National Policy on HIV and AIDS in work places today, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The Labour and Labour Relations Ministry and the Health Ministry have jointly implemented the policy which was officially endorsed by the Cabinet in December 2010.

The key feature of the national policy is prevention of new infections among workers.

"The policy expects to reach out to nearly 8.5 million workers with lifesaving prevention in Sri Lanka," the spokesman said.

Its aimed at educating workers on HIV and AIDS, promoting voluntary testing and counselling services and establishing linkages with government healthcare providers for HIV treatment and care.