President calls for pro-people patent and drugs policy  
[Monday, August 20, 2007 - 6.30 GMT]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 8th International Congress on Aids in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) said that it is necessary to re-think established policies with regard to patents and ownership of essential drugs and think in terms of more liberal policies that are based on the needs of the people.    

“The challenge of HIV AIDS is so great that we as political leaders must give it the highest priority, because denial of the crisis can have serious consequences on economic development, social advancement and the very future of our societies”, he said.  

The following are excerpts from his speech:
  
“It is interesting to note that AIDS affects less than 0.1 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population, among high risk groups, it affects less than one per cent. The latest statistics show that up to May 2007, a grand total of 872 persons had been diagnosed as HIV positive, of whom 220 had developed AIDS and 162 had died.

“Comparatively small as this figure is in the international context of this great menace, we will not pat ourselves on our backs. For, every death is one too many. Every victim is one too many. Yet, it is important and encouraging to note that as experts see it, Sri Lanka will not have a general epidemic of HIV AIDS in the country, although it has all the factors normally conducive to a high escalation of AIDS victims.

“Internationally it is important that speedy action is taken to ensure that the drugs to combat this major hazard are readily available to those in need. The new drugs that are being developed should be readily available to the people who are in need as well as to governments. This should not be and undue strain on latter's budgets especially in the less develop or poorer countries of the world.
  
“The threat to the well – being of humanity posed by HIV AIDS is such that it is necessary to re-think established policies with regard to patents and ownership of essential drugs and think in terms of more liberal policies that are based on the needs of the people.    

“My government has given the highest priority to the improvement of the health of our people. By way of example, the budgetary provisions for health have been increased to ensure a better quality of care to the people of Sri Lanka. The health gains that Sri Lanka has seen, as evidenced by the improving health indicators, are a result of the positive social security measures undertaken by successive governments such as free health care and free education. Provision of free care and treatment to all those living with HIV is the policy of my government.

Prevention and control of HIV AIDS, the care and treatment of people living with HIV, their welfare and that of their families and children, the upholding of their rights, the elimination of stigma and discrimination, will continue to receive the highest priority from the government.”




  
  

  
 

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Last Updated Date: August 20, 2007 - 6.30 GMT