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PM: Govt takes lead in AIDS fight
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has
slammed the Centre for Independent Studies’ report that totally denied
Government leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS in PNG.
Sir Michael said every time there was an attack on the leadership in
Australia, the Centre for International Studies issued a damning report
about PNG.
The report was not specific on how the PNG leadership had not taken on
the fight against HIV/AIDS in PNG.
“I want to state categorically that this Government has done more than
any other government since coming into office in 2002. We have been very
supportive in combating the spread of the virus in the country,” Sir
Michael said in statement.
“It is true that every government before us has been in denial about
HIV/AIDS since the first case was detected in the 1980s. This has not
been the case with my Government.
“Shortly after taking office, I went on TV to encourage compassion and
stop stigmatising people living with HIV/AIDS.
“In collaboration with the National AIDS Council, posters with my
message of compassion and care were distributed to communities around
the country to stop the alienation of people living with the virus.
“In 2004, I committed K150,000 towards the Anglicare Stop AIDS Centre
and declared HIV/AIDS to be a social issue rather than purely a health
problem.
“In doing so, the responsibility was brought in as part of the
Department of Prime Minister with a designated minister responsible for
the everyday work on HIV/AIDS.
“I believe Dr Puka Temu and Sir Peter Barter have been very proactive on
behalf of the Government especially in the area of awareness and
voluntary testing.
“With the surpluses in the budget, allocations towards fighting HIV/AIDS
have greatly increased over the last few years by this Government.
“Companies have come on board to assist the Government because we have
taken ownership of the problem. I have continually focused on HIV/AIDS
in my addresses both locally and while overseas.
“In 2005, Global Fund committed US$29 million (K87.7 million) over five
years to PNG.
“Last year, the 42nd president of the United States, president William
Jefferson Clinton accepted my invitation and made a special trip to PNG
and committed his foundation to assist PNG provide drugs for children
and others living with HIV/AIDS.”
 
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