With HIV rapid tests implemented at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), testing has been remarkably improved since 2018 islandwide. However, HIV rapid testing services need to be strengthened in the NHSL. By the end of 2019, around 3,000 tests were carried out with 12 reactive screening tests and eight confirmed positives with final results of the tests pending.
During 2019, 439 persons were newly diagnosed with HIV infection and 409 persons were registered in the HIV care services. A total of 341 were newly started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) during the year. These people living with HIV (PLHIV) comprised 80% of males and two transgender persons.
There were 1,947 patients receiving HIV care services from government HIV clinics at the end of 2019, out of which 1,845 have been started on ART. Of this, 42 (2%) were children aged less than 15 years. The Colombo HIV Clinic had the highest number of PLHIV receiving ART, followed by the Ragama, IDH, Kandy, Kalubowila, Kurunegala, Galle, and Kalutara Clinics. These eight clinics had provided services to over 80% of all PLHIV on ART.