The World Health Organization has certified Sri Lanka as a country that has eliminated transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child, Consultant Venereologist Dr. Lilani Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka College of Sexual Health and HIV Medicine said.
The Health Ministry and the National STD/AIDS Control Program jointly organised an awareness walk starting from Campbell Park to the Colombo Municipal Council premises to mark World’s AIDS Day.
Representatives from government and non-governmental organisations, including the World Health Organization, the doctors, community activists, Army and Police officers took part in the walk. Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe was the chief guest.
Dr. Lilani Rajapaksa speaking on the occasion said, “Sri Lanka’s health services have eliminated the spread of HIV or syphilis from mother to child within the last five years. This year’s World’s AIDS Day theme is ‘Communities make the difference’.
Let’s think of it together - Make a difference - eliminate AIDS. Our next target is 2020.
Our challenge today is to find 90 percent of HIV positive people in 2020 and treat them. That will help us reach our ultimate goal. That would be eradicating AIDS by 2025.”
The government aims to eradicate AIDS by 2025. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the main mode of HIV transmission in children under 15 years of age. HIV can be transmitted from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or breastfeeding.
The dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis has been identified as a global public health priority.
The Coordinator of the Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis (EMTCT) validation process said that Sri Lanka is the third country in the region after Thailand, Malaysia, and the Maldives which has eliminated the spread of HIV or syphilis from mother to child.
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