One HIV infection per day

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

“One HIV infection is reported from Sri Lanka everyday. A total of 71 HIV positive cases have been reported from Sri Lanka during the first two quarters of this year (2011). Seventeen AIDS deaths were also reported during the same period.

These statistics were announced during the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Policy at Sausiripaya, Colombo yesterday, under the patronage of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.”

No HIV infections through blood transfusions have been reported from Sri Lanka after 2000. There were three such cases before 2000. A total of 121 HIV positive cases were reported by the end of last year (2010). The number of AIDS deaths reported during the same year was 19. There are 3,000 HIV positive adults in Sri Lanka at present, of which 35 are children. A total of 238 persons had died of AIDS so far.

Addressing the gathering after launching the National HIV/AIDS Policy and web site www.aidscontrol.gov.lk, Minister Sirisena stressed the importance of having a national programme on HIV/AIDS control with the coordination of all line ministries and institutions, such as, the Education Ministry, Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Ministry etc. The ministry was able to cut down on dengue deaths and cases by 50 percent this year because of the coordination and assistance received by all, including line ministries, Armed Forces and civil society, the minister said. With the advancement of technology and due to globalization, people’s morals, ethics and values have started to decline rapidly.

This has caused harm to people’s health. Although all religions teach about cultivating morals, ethics and social values, the advancement of technology and rapid spread of cultures and economic links have caused destruction to people’s lives, the minister pointed out.

Health Ministry officials, INGO, NGO and representatives from other organizations were present at the launching ceremony.