Mandatory medical examinations conducted at Sri Lanka’s Inbound Health Assessment Centre (IHAP) in Borella have led to the detection of more than 2,000 tuberculosis cases among foreign nationals seeking long-term visas over the past five years, officials revealed during a recent inspection.
According to centre officials, screening tests conducted in line with Ministry of Health guidelines include examinations for tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Several malaria cases have also been identified, while more than 100 HIV-positive individuals and over 80 tuberculosis patients have been detected in recent years.
All identified patients were referred to relevant state health institutions for further treatment and management, officials said.
The findings were disclosed during an inspection by Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijeymuni, who was briefed on the centre’s role in preventing the reintroduction and spread of infectious diseases in Sri Lanka.
Health authorities noted that tuberculosis, which had previously been eradicated in the country, poses a renewed public health concern due to increased global mobility and migration, underscoring the importance of systematic health screening for long-term foreign residents.
