Sri Lanka venereal diseses-free by 2015
by Nilma DOLE
Sri Lanka is on the path to eradicating vertical (mother-child)
transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2015, said Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon,
Senior Venereologist of the College of Venereologists. She said, "We are
making it compulsory for pregnant women in Sri Lanka to receive free
screenings for HIV and syphilis which stop the mother-to-child
transmission of the AIDS virus during childbirth".
According to research done by the College, the syphilis infection in
Sri Lanka has a very low prevalence as it is easily treatable and people
quickly seek medical advice. However, if a pregnant woman has AIDS,
prompt medical attention should be sought because Sri Lanka's medical
services are good enough to prevent the child from getting HIV. "With
the right treatment, mother-to-child transmission of congenital syphilis
and HIV, the AIDS virus, can be prevented because our medical services
are now technologically modern with the right training given to primary
healthcare workers and doctors," she said.
Today, the medical health strategy focuses on providing and
implementing a comprehensive healthcare for pregnant women, in order to
eradicate vertical (mother-child) transmission of HIV and syphilis by
2015 with help from international and local organisations.
In pregnant women, syphilis can be extremely harmful to the unborn
child as they can pass the infection to their babies during pregnancy
and childbirth. Untreated syphilis may result in miscarriages, premature
births, and stillbirths. Because of the serious complications presented
by syphilis, all women who are expecting should be tested for the
disease. Caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria, syphilis is usually
curable nowadays with antibiotics such as Penicillin. Untreated, it can
damage the heart, brain, eyes and bones and is fatal.
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