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By ALISON ANIS
THE 2007 report on the estimated cases of HIV/AIDS epidemic launched in
Port Moresby yesterday showed that more than 40,000 people in the
country were HIV positive with only above 18,000 detected cases.
The report further placed the HIV prevalence rate at the lower 1.2% and
not 2% as has been generalised previously.
The Estimation Report on HIV Epidemic in Papua New Guinea, launched by
outgoing Minister for Health and Bougainville Affairs Sir Peter Barter
at Crowne Plaza, revealed that an estimated 46,275 people were living
with HIV as of last December with estimated HIV prevalence rate of 1.28
% among adults aged 15 to 49 years.
“The report also showed that by the end of last year, only 18,484 people
had been diagnosed, leaving the majority of people estimated to be
living with HIV not knowing their HIV positive status,” Sir Peter said.
He said the report was an important milestone in the implementation of
the National Strategic Plan and to give an update on the HIV situation
in the country.
Sir Peter said while there was a “levelling-off” in the urban areas due
to establishments of Volunteer Counselling and Testing (VCT) sites or
projections from the estimation report showed the epidemic was
increasing in the rural areas where majority of the people live.
“People in the rural areas should be aware that the trend was picking up
strongly and its was expected that this year we could see a much higher
HIV prevalence rate in the rural population compared to the urban rate,”
Sir Peter said.
The estimation further revealed a high infection rate among young people
and young adults who also form majority of those diagnosed with HIV
infections. More young women were infected at earlier ages than young
men.
Sir Peter said the changes calls for government and its partners to
mobilise all resources to minimise the impact of the HIV epidemic in
people’s lives in both rural and urban areas and to pay special
attention to young people, particularly female youth.
“The HIV prevalence of 1.28% which was less than previously documented
does not mean that the HIV epidemic was decreasing. Rather all projected
HIV indicators show an increase,” he said.
The minister highlighted the need to reach communities in the rural
areas with correct messages, VTC, treatment, and other HIV related
services to support people to protect themselves and improve the quality
of life for those living with HIV.
“Papua New Guineans should continue prevention methods like abstaining
from sex, being faithful or using a condom every time to prevent
infection, and also go for testing to know their HIV status,” Sir Peter
said.
The estimation report was put together by the National AIDS Council (NACS)
and the National Department of Health with the help of development
partners, agencies and stakeholders.
 
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