Statements Other Statements Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva addresses the UN High-level Meeting on a Comprehensive Review of the progress achieved in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, New York,10-11 June 2008
| Wednesday, 11 June 2008 00:00 | |
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Page 1 of 3  Although there are concerns with regard to the pace of progress, we also need to recognize the significant gains and lessons learned from each others success stories. Some countries in our region have shown very positive results in containing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. But of course a lot more needs to be done to sustain this progress and consolidate these gains. Statement by Honourable Nimal Siripala de Silva Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition of Sri Lanka and Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Health Organisation High-Level Meeting on a Comprehensive Review of the progress achieved in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS New York,10-11 June 2008 Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, Let me convey greetings and best wishes from His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, for the success of this High-Level Meeting. The Special Session of the General Assembly in 2001 and High-level Meeting in 2006 provided an impetus to strengthen and accelerate HIV and AIDS control programs in a coherent and comprehensive manner. However, as the Secretary-General’s Report indicates, progress has been uneven. This, therefore, is an appropriate time to take stock as progress in combating HIV/AIDS is essential to ensure the achievement of other interrelated Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Although there are concerns with regard to the pace of progress, we also need to recognize the significant gains and lessons learned from each others success stories. Some countries in our region have shown very positive results in containing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. But of course a lot more needs to be done to sustain this progress and consolidate these gains. The first case of HIV infection was detected in Sri Lanka in the year 1987. Reliable surveillance estimates indicate that there are at present about 5000 persons infected with HIV among our 20 million population. So far only 957 HIV positive cases have been detected and only 3 instances of HIV infection following blood transfusion have been detected in 20 years. I am presenting this data to you with modest pride. You may ask what factors have contributed to Sri Lanka’s success. First, we have had strong political commitment and political will consistently over the years, and this has provided a firm foundation for the successful launch and continuation of HIV/AIDS prevention activities. The President of Sri Lanka chairs the National Committee for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, which is identified as an essential element for ensuring good health, in the Mahinda Chintanaya, the policy framework of the Government of Sri Lanka. Second, Sri Lanka has had free healthcare and education, for all its citizens since gaining Independence in 1948. Since then, despite being a developing economy, we have succeeded in building an extensive healthcare infrastructure, focused on Primary Health Care. Sri Lanka has achieved low Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates, high vaccination coverage, an average life expectancy of 73 years and a literacy rate of 95%. The strong healthcare system within which the HIV preventive program is an integral part, and free education which has resulted in a highly literate population, has contributed greatly to Sri Lanka’s success in combating HIV infection. Thirdly, the traditional and conservative nature of Sri Lankan society holds a deep and abiding respect for the sanctity of the family as an institution. Fourthly, Sri Lanka has set in place a well-established National HIV/AIDS Control Programme with strong support of the World Bank, WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA and the Global Fund. Sri Lanka is thankful to these institutions and donors for their support. I have personally given political leadership to advocacy and awareness programmes targeting political leaders in Parliament and in Local Government, and all segments of civil society. These interventions have contributed significantly to acceptance by the entire political and religious leadership of the country that HIV/AIDS is a serious threat to national health and development. They also served to attenuate stigma and discrimination. These efforts paved the way for the success of the 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific which was held in Sri Lanka in August 2007. Around 2700 foreign and 2000 local delegates attended the Conference. |
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