Today is the World AIDS Day which draws attention towards AIDS and HIV infection.
The Health Ministry has revealed that Sri Lanka is the country in the Asian region with the lowest HIV prevalence rate. Every year the World AIDS Day is being observed on 1st December. The day has been continuously commemorated from 1988 drawing attention towards AIDS awareness and prevention programmes. From 1989 to September 2013 337 AIDS deaths have been reported in the country including 18 children. 457 persons have been identified as HIV infected persons. The Ministry said that 500,000 blood samples were tested this year for possible HIV infection. Many awareness programmes have also been organised.
An awareness walk organised jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Prisons, started near the Prison. Speaking at the occasion Director General of Health Services Dr. Palitha Mahipala said that he is pleased that Sri Lanka has the lowest HIV prevalence rate in the Asian region. However an all island programme has to be carried out to raise public awareness to maintain the situation.
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