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.