By ZACHERY PER
THE high illiteracy rate and unprecedented risky activities and behaviours fuels the growth of HIV/AIDS in PNG.
Vice-Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS and Lufa MP Yawa Silupa pointed this out on the eve of the World AIDS Day during a media conference in Goroka yesterday.
He said the critical HIV/AIDS awareness messages did not reach the bulk of the people because of high illiteracy rate.
“Eighty per cent of the country’s population found in rural communities are illiterate and can not digest the awareness messages,” Mr Silupa said.
He said money and resources targeted for rural communities were being consumed by organisations duplicating activities to the same communities in urban settings and accessible areas.
“However, cases in these urban and accessible areas are increasing at alarming rates,” he said.
Mr Silupa, however, said the rural people were not aware of the consequences of their behaviour of living adulterously and polygamously, which makes them prone to contracting the virus.
He also pointed out that the rampant marijuana and homebrew production and consumption, especially in remote communities coupled with village six-to-six night party (dance) spurred the escalating spread of HIV/AIDS.
Mr Silupa said a good number of people in their prime stage of life had succumbed to the dreaded disease largely due to the high illiteracy rates.
He said the World AIDS Day, which falls on Dec 1 every year, was to remind people to change their behaviours, especially their responses towards satisfying sexual desires.
Mr Silupa later yesterday challenged the students of Gotomi Vocational School in Lufa district, Eastern Highlands, to avoid getting involved in risky activities and behaviours.
“Stay away from drugs, homebrew and utilise the new skills and knowledge you have acquired to live fruitful lives, HIV/AIDS is taking the lives of young people today,” he said.