HIV infections among males between 19 and 25 years are on the rise, according to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP).

NSACP Senior Management Team Director Dr. Rasanjalee Hettiarachchi quoting statistics obtained from diagnostic tests received from islandwide Control Clinics told a special meeting at the Health Ministry yesterday, that the situation did not sound so healthy.

She said though 3,600 HIV infected persons should have been registered with the NSACP by 2020 only 2,000 had registered themselves so far.

"The remaining 1,600 patients are moving about freely in society not knowing that they are being infected. They could likely infect healthy persons in society," Dr. Hettiarachchi said.

The NSACP has requested those infected to visit the relevant centres and register themselves to get their blood tested.

All tests and registrations are done at these centres in a manner ensuring their privacy and blood tests would be conducted free of charge, she said.

Dr. Hettiarachchi also said that a special awareness programme would be conducted from this month onwards. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)