Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Day
by Raisa Wickrematunge
- on 12/01/2015
include not knowing where to go, too busy, and low risk perception, the
survey noted.
And the stigma against those with an HIV positive diagnosis is high the
report notes that while most respondents interviewed said they would care
for a family member if they were diagnosed, many also said that an HIV
positive student should not be allowed to go to school.
Some even said they would not purchase food from a vendor who was HIV
positive. Some of the female sex workers, particularly the older ones,
mentioned that they are afraid to visit STI clinics for fear of being mocked
by staff, or worse, being recognized.
A number of misconceptions continue to exist around HIV mainly the
perception that it is primarily contracted by same sex partners. Yet this is
simply not true, even in Sri Lanka
chance of transmitting HIV being nearly at zero). In order to meet this, 73%
of people testing HIV positive should be receiving treatment by 2020
currently, Sri Lankas rate is just 50%.
While the number of cases reported in the North and East is much lower
than in Colombo, Gampaha and Kandy, a lack of access to HIV and AIDS
Control programmes coupled with a conservative culture compared to the
South means that they too are at risk. This is why this years NSACP
programme for World AIDS Day is taking place in Batticaloa, while the
previous years programme was in Kilinochchi. This years programme will
consist of an awareness raising walk, with free testing available for those
who need it.
Where can you go to get tested?
The figure shows all the island-wide clinics where its possible to get tested.
There are 30 full-time STD clinics and 22 branch STD clinics in Sri Lanka. Of
these STD clinics, 12 have the capacity to provide antiretroviral treatment
(ART) services.
Despite these resources, many people are hesitant to visit the clinics. The
IBBS Survey found that some of the female sex workers, for instance,
mentioned that they were afraid to visit STD clinics for fear of being mocked
by staff, or worse, being recognized. This cultural taboo is having very real
consequences and it is this that programmes like NSACP and UNAIDS are
currently combating. There have been some moderate successes mother
to child transmissions have been virtually eliminated, as has transmission
via blood transfusions. Yet its clear Sri Lanka has a long way to go before
achieving the 90:90:90 targets.
Posted by Thavam