|
|
 |
 |
|||
By the end of 2000, it was estimated that 36.1 million people worldwide were infected with AIDS. A staggering 5.8 million of these people are from South and South East Asia, making this the region with the second highest AIDS infected population. In Sri Lanka, the number of HIV infected persons is estimated to be 8,500. And this number is rising at a rate of 0.07 percent among those in the age range of 15 - 49, according to UNAIDS. Dr. Salim Habayeb, the World Bank’s lead Public Health Specialist for the South Asian Region says, “The productive sector, those between 15 – 25 years, are most vulnerable to infection bringing with it the probability of a negative economic impact if early action is not taken.” The World Bank has guaranteed assistance in the form of a soft loan amounting to US$ 10 million for a US$ 15 million anti-AIDS campaign in Sri Lanka. The programme will be co-ordinated by the Health Ministry. With its wide focus, it will involve various sectors including: education, defence, tourism, fisheries, pharmaceutical, labour, NGOs and medical associations.
|
|
Contact Information: Send mail to