8th International Congress on AIDS begins in Colombo

Colombo, Aug 19 (UNI) The eighth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific was inaugurated by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here today with a call to all Heads of Governments in the region to join hands in taking measures and improve the lot of people in the face of the advancing danger of HIV and AIDS.

''The political leadership at the highest level in any country is a vital catalyst in transforming societies. What we do as leaders now will be rememebered in the future and will have a direct impact in the lives of future generations'', Mr Rajapaksa told more than 2500 delegates attending the conference from over 70 countries.

While lauding various agencies engaged in the arrest of spread of AIDS, the President said that it was equally important that speedy action is taken to ensure that the drugs to combat this major hazard are readily available to those in need. The new drugs that are being developed should be readily available to the people at reasonable and affordable prices. The threat to the well being of humanity posed by HIV and AIDS is such that it is necessary to rethink established policies with regard to patents and ownership of essential drugs and think in terms of more liberal policies that are based on the needs of the people.

''We must join hands within our respective countries and across borders throughout the Asia-Pacific region, to achieve our objectives, in limiting and hopefully eliminating the spread of HIV AIDS'', he said.

He said Sri Lanka is considered a country with a low prevalence of HIV infection, but yet there is room for complacency. His government has given highest priority to the improvement of the health of the people.

This year, governments and UN agencies are spending ten billion dollars this year in the low and middle income group of countries.

UN experts estimate a requirement of 18 million dollars in the couple of years to fight against the hazard.

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