HIV Rates Drop in Anuradhapura, Says Deputy Director

Sri Lanka, July 5 — The Deputy Director of the Anuradhapura Divisional Health Services, Dr. Dhammika de Silva, stated that the HIV prevention program in the Anuradhapura district has achieved success.

He stated that sufficient lab facilities currently exist for performing blood tests, along with an online system, as well as carefully organized awareness programs.

These disclosures were made by the Deputy Director during the recent Anuradhapura AIDS Prevention Committee meeting held at the Office of the Director of North Central Provincial Health Services.

Dr. Ajith Karawita, Consultant Venereologist, stated that in 2024, twenty-one individuals with HIV infections were detected, compared to just four confirmed cases so far this year. He added that from 2003 onwards, a cumulative count of 155 people have tested positive for HIV, and following treatment, approximately ninety-seven percent of these patients are currently leading normal, healthy lives.

“In 2024, over 12,500 blood tests were conducted for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, and the program remains ongoing without disruption,” he stated.

Dr. Hema Weerakoon from the Sexual Health Centre at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital noted that 150,000 condoms were handed out in the region last year, with plans underway to distribute five million across Sri Lanka by 2025 as part of efforts to promote birth control and reduce infection rates.

It was revealed that annually in Sri Lanka over 600 men and women receive medical treatment for various forms of sexually transmitted infections, with genital herpes being the most frequently recorded condition. Other widespread sexual infections include gonorrhea, syphilis, and genital warts. Additionally, survey-based estimates suggest approximately 4,000 individuals live with HIV within the nation. Numerous kinds of viruses, bacterial agents, and parasitic organisms can be passed on via unsafe sexual practices. Among them, eight specific disease-causing agents contribute significantly to global STD cases; among those four—syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis—are treatable conditions. The remaining illnesses—hepatitis-B, HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and HPV (Human Papillomavirus)—are chronic viral afflictions without cures at present. Majority of scientific studies focus particularly on how HIV spreads during anal intercourse—the activity regarded as carrying maximum danger due largely because this practice involves higher chances up until five percentage points regarding infection transfer contrasted against only one tenth per cent possibility associated alongside traditional penile-vaginal penetration clearly pointing out why rectal tissue surfaces tend toward susceptibility from physical injury thereby allowing easier access exposure into circulatory systems beneath surface layers when tissues become traumatized under friction stress applied upon relatively less lubricated delicate internal linings involved here too often overlooked aspects needing attention accordingly considering implications carefully based evidence provided throughout relevant literature reviews conducted previously elsewhere across international health communities concerned overall effectively addressing critical public awareness gaps still persisting today requiring urgent intervention measures implementation urgently needed moving forward strategically planning future prevention campaigns targeting key populations vulnerable groups affected disproportionately so ensuring better outcomes achieved successfully minimizing further spread controlling epidemics stemming tide rising STI rates globally including localized settings similar described above like Sri Lankan handicrafts.