GOVERNOR-General Sir Paulias Matane and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare have urged people to change their attitude to avoid falling to the scour of AIDS, which authorities say is threatening to engulf rural PNG, where over 80% of the PNG population lives.
In their Christmas messages, both leaders warned that the nation would suffer if more young people continued to get infected and not heed the warning by various authorities about safe practices and attitude change.
Sir Michael delivered his message on national radio, the National Broadcasting Corporation, while Sir Paulias was speaking in East New Britain, his home province.
Sir Paulias said PNG had many educated and experienced people to contribute to the development of the country but many die young because of AIDS or from other sickness because of their attitude problem.
“We old people are dying of old age but today, young people with a lot of potential are dying of AIDS because of their bad behaviour,” he said.
He said each individual should take this Christmas and New Year period to reflect on life and make a resolution to change their attitude.
He said young people roaming the streets and creating problems for others should take the time to settle down and be creative and productive in society.
Sir Paulias said he was sad to see that though the country had gained Independence 32 years ago, society was deteriorating because of people’s bad attitude.
“Mi save sem olsem PNG gat planti problem istap (I’m ashamed that PNG had a lot of problems).”
Meanwhile, speaking on NBC radio, the Prime Minister said people should use the festive period and change their attitudes so they do not fall victim to AIDS.
Government records show that the HIV/AIDS’ prevalence rate is about 2%, with the epidemic generalised and firmly established in both urban and rural areas.
But a recent Government report, the epidemic was rising sharply in rural areas, which was contrary to previous belief that HIV/AIDS was concentrated in towns and urban areas.
Concerned about this, the Government has allocated K16.5 million to implement the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS and has unveiled a HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Rural Enclaves programme.
The Asian Development Bank is also joining the fight with a K4 million programme on condoms campaign in the New Year.