By JOE KORO
The battle against communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, syphilis, tuberculosis and malaria is a mammoth task.
HIV/AIDS in particular has over the years proven to be a contributing factor to death by other curable diseases.
Port Moresby General Hospital alone has recorded 75% of the overall fatality rate caused by such diseases.
HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed and confirmed in PNG by laboratory test in 1987. Since then reported cases of HIV/AIDS continued to increase.
North West Medical and Scientific Ltd, a 100 % nationally owned local medical and scientific firm based in Port Moresby has joined the fight against HIV AIDS with a strategy to combat it in the most remotet parts of the country.
North West Medical and Scientific is the leader in Point of Care Testing in the local market and is the sole supplier of 3rd Generation (State-of-the-Art) Rapid Test Kits.
The SD Bio Line Rapid Test Kits are highly effective it has the capacity of differentiating between the two major types of HIV/AIDS 1& 2.
The latest modern technology in diagnostic analysis further amplifies the Bio Line Rapid Test Kits in to a unique Third Generation Modern Technology, enabling Point of Care Testing much more simple and easy.
Thus making HIV/AIDS Test more accessible to voluntary counseling and Testing (VCT) Centers, Health Centers and Rural Aid Post in the most remotest parts of the country.
In 2003 PNG was declared the fourth country in the Asia Pacific Region to be categorized under Generalized HIV/AIDS Epidemic meaning that the epidemic had infiltrated into the core of the general population.
To consolidate that report, recent studies indicated PNG to have the highest transmission rate in the Asia/Pacific Region of which 95 % of the HIV/AIDS infected women contracted HIV infection from their husband.
As stated by Aluvula (2006) HIV/AIDS Response Coordinator of the NCD National AIDS Committee, the gender ratio showed 1:1 however it is possible that the number of reported cases did not indicate the real extent of HIV infections in the population.
This according to the report was probably because tests were limited to the capital city and major urban centers only. In addition the surveillance system of HIV/AIDS in PNG is still relatively underdeveloped.
Studies conducted among sex workers in Port Moresby and Lae in 1998 showed 17 % and 3 % HIV prevalence rate respectively.
In 2002 antenatal clinic in Port Moresby General Hospital had confirmed that 1 % of antenatal clinic attendants tested positive of HIV/AIDS. When taking into consideration the above and the accessibility of all provinces Port Moresby city it is inevitable that all provinces have the capability to counter the increasing transmission rates of the virus and its spill over effects.
The NCD Provincial AIDS Committee further stated that NCD and PNG were sitting on a time bomb and urged leaders to take immediate measures to deal with the situation.
Studies had also indicated that the predominant HIV Type is the HIV.1 Subtype. C, the strain that originated from South Africa. It is the type specific for heterosexual transmission. From studies heterosexual transmission is the most common form of transmission in PNG.
The Rapid Test Kit SD Bio Line HIV 1, 2 & 3.0 has the capability of detecting all HIV Type including sub type "O "which some kits cannot detect.
Studies in PNG showed that SD Bio Line HIV 1/2 & 3.0 is the number 1 top of the range test kit on the global market.
North West Medical & Scientific Ltd is adamant to work with the National
Government in achieving the Governments Medium to Long Term Development Strategies by combating the killer disease in the rural sector.
The company is currently working with a number of local MP's and will soon dispatch teams of medical experts into the remote parts of the country to carry out physical tests.
The phase two implementation process will see the medical team carry out proper awareness seminars in villages, health centres, aid posts and clinics before actual tests are carried out.
Statistics compiled from those outreach programs will be properly analyzed and sent to the National Health Department for the overall impact study analysis of the disease in PNG.
The tests are simple, rapid and accurate in detecting the actual types of antibodies for HIV/AIDS, syphilis, tuberculosis and malaria.
Malaria is still the single biggest killer disease in the rural sectors of the country and it is anticipated to be closely monitored during the whole implementation process. North West Medical & Scientific can be accessed through the internet on - nwscientific@datec.net.pg or on telephone: 3234719, 3234727 or Fax: 3234716.



 

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