Rate of HIV among boys aged 19 to 25 increase: National STD/AIDS Control Programme

COLOMBO (News 1st): The rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence among boys aged 19 to 25 in the country has risen, the National STD/AIDS Control Programme said. This was revealed based on the diagnostic data from National clinics of STD and AIDS Control Clinics across the island; and there is a trend of gradual increase with regard to this situation, Specialist Dr. Rasanjali Hettiarachchi, Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme told News 1st. According to scientific projections, the number of HIV/AIDS infected individuals in the country by 2020 is around 3600. However, only close to 2,000 people are currently registered in clinics, the National STD/AIDS Control Programme emphasized. Specialist Dr. Rasanjali Hettiarachchi pointed out that the remaining 1,600 people may be interacting with others in society without even knowing they are infected, and healthy people could also be infected because of them. Against such a backdrop, Dr. Rasanjali Hettiarachchi advised the general public to visit the clinics and undergo free blood tests while protecting their privacy.