Health departments report that the spread of HIV infection among the youth community is increasing rapidly, especially among young people between the ages of 15-24. Accordingly, it is reported that measures have been taken to increase the awareness and disease tests aimed at those age groups.
Dr. Vino Dharmakulasinghe, Consultant Venereologist of the National STD/AIDS Control Program, says that the trend of HIV infected people can be seen among men.
In 2023, 1,009,685 HIV tests were conducted across the country, and a significant number of cases were reported from tests conducted at blood banks, private hospitals and laboratories.
In the first quarter of 2024, there were 207 new HIV/AIDS cases, including 13 deaths – a 25% increase over the same period in 2023.