HIVST

1-Policy uptake of WHO recommended HIV testing approaches 

Source: WHO Policy Data 2020

As per 2020 data on lawsandpolicies.unaids.org, Sri Lanka has partially adopted 2015 WHO guidelines recommendations on HIV testing services. The country is yet to have a national policy on HIVST, though pilots are planned in the country. According to another joint report from December 2020 however, Sri Lanka had developed a policy on HIVST and also has a policy that makes HIV testing free for all.

Historically in Sri Lanka, consultations held in 2016 resulted in the Road Map to end AIDS by 2025. To reach 90-90-90 targets, the country needed to identify more people living with HIV by scaling up testing services and making community-based and community-led testing accessible to key populations. A national communication strategy was thus developed to increase awareness and sexually transmitted infection and HIV services are being promoted to key populations by social marketing.

Sri Lanka also developed a National Policy on HIV/AIDS in the World of Work which safeguards workers' rights in line with ILO recommendations. The Policy ensures promotion of decent and productive employment in a non-discriminatory environment, where the protection of fundamental rights is upheld as enshrined in the Constitution. The policy applies to all employers and workers involved in public, private and informal sectors.

2-Implementation Status 

As on December 2020, Sri Lanka had planned HIVST pilots whose protocol had been finalized. There were delays due to COVID-19 however, which the National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP), Sri Lanka were addressing. The country was also working for Demand creation for HIVST via NSACP website, Know4sure App, STI clinics, internet, peer educators and social media. The following were also planned in the country:

• Development of national HIVST guidelines
• Scale up HIVST in 2021-22 including diversifying distribution options
• Video-based tools to support HIVST use
• Procurement of 20,000 HIVST kits within Global Fund country grant

Overall in Sri Lanka, prevention and testing innovations have been implemented after stakeholder discussions. Provincial AIDS committees have been established to obtain the support of local stakeholders.

Targeted interventions for key populations have been implemented with the support of non-governmental organizations, the Global Fund and other funding agencies. Efforts are being made to reach key populations through programmes targeting prisons, the tourist sector, people who use drugs, migrants and youth. In relation to diagnostics, the process for accreditation of the National Reference Laboratory of the National Sexually- Transmited Diseases/AIDS Control Programme has been initiated to improve the quality of national laboratory services and peripheral Sexually-Transmitted Diseases clinic laboratories.

Venereologists have been appointed to 22 clinics to improve diagnosis, prevention and care services including antiretroviral treatment in the nine provinces.

3-Product registration and costing of HIVST Kits 

Product registration is planned in Sri Lanka. No data on costs is available.