HIV and AIDS Seminar in Vavuniya

30^th June – 1^st July 2008

The spread of HIV and AIDS across Sri Lanka has increased over the years, especially in the year 2008. According to statistical data 6500 Sri Lankan’s have been infected in total, and nearly 237 people die annually due to HIV AIDS. The worst affected area being the Northern part of Sri Lanka with over 5 deaths reported up to June 2008. The main reason for the spread of HIV and AIDS across the Northern Region is the prevailing war. Many people have been displaced due to the war and live as refugees in camps. These refugees are very vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.

As it is our responsibility to create awareness on such issues, a seminar was organized for the school children attending Kalmadu Maha Vidyalayam & Puthukulam Maha Vidyalayam, Vavuniya, from 30th June to 01st July 2008. 72 children between the ages of 16 – 19 participated at this programme.

This seminar was conducted by the Public Health Inspector from Population Lanka & an officer from UNDP. They addressed the following topics.

- What is HIV/AIDS?
- Ways in which HIV and AIDS cannot be transmitted to others
- Symptoms of a HIV and AIDS positive patient
- How to protect oneself from spreading of HIV and AIDS
- Current Statistics and Data on HIV and AIDS  

All sessions were conducted in an easy to understand method through group activities and student discussions. Hand outs and books were distributed at the end of the seminar so that these children will be well equipped to conduct more awareness programmes in their own villages.

At the end of the programme a group of children from each school were encouraged to collect information and data related HIV & AIDS. ADT presented the schools with a notice board for this purpose. All information and data collected by this group will be displayed on the notice board for the benefit of all the children from the two schools.

All students participated very actively, and the presence of the school principals and the teachers was encouraging. All participants received a comprehensive knowledge on HIV and AIDS. The participants assured us that they would conduct more awareness programmes in their respective areas. ADT too is committed to conduct more awareness seminars throughout the country for the benefit of all citizens of Sri Lanka.