• 410 HIV positive cases reported in 2021
• 3,700 people living with HIV in Sri Lanka

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama

An online reservation system was introduced by the National STD/AIDS Control Programme that aims to provide the most convenient means for people to make reservations for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing. 

The online reservation system was announced during a workshop conducted as a jointly organised programme by the National STD/AIDS Control unit and Health Promotion Bureau at the government information department.
The details of the people who registered through the online system will ensure anonymity and privacy.
HIV testing and care services are established throughout Sri Lanka and anyone who wants to get tested for HIV can visit www.know4sure.lk and can reserve a time online arrangements have been made through the phone number ‘0716379192’ to have your HIV self-test kits delivered to your residence.

Meanwhile, National STD/AIDS control programme Dr. Darshani Mallikarachchi said that a total of 410 HIV positive cases were reported in the country in 2021, but there was a slight decline in the number of reported cases in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019

He said currently, there are about 3,700 people living with HIV in Sri Lanka.

“It has been nearly 41 years since we identified the HIV virus. HIV has become a serious issue around the world. Nearly 79 million people in the world have become victims of the dreaded virus. “Nearly 36 million people in the world die of this virus, and still people are prone to get infected,” she said.

However, there is no effective cure for HIV, but with proper medical care, one can control HIV. Most people bring the virus under control within six months, Dr. Mallikarachchi said. Although the number of HIV positive cases in Sri Lanka is low compared to other countries in the world, the number of newly reported patients is steadily increasing, she said.

Due to the travel restrictions imposed in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic, HIV testing seemed momentarily ignored.

Those who indulge in unprotected sexual intercourse, injecting drugs, coastal workers, and prison inmates are at higher risk of contracting HIV, the expert says.