2 HIV deaths per month at Angau

By BENBERT WASA
TWO to three HIV-related deaths are reported every month at Angau Memorial General Hospital, it was revealed yesterday at the World AIDS Day commemorations at the Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium.
Lae district administrator Robin Kalistus said this, adding that last year Morobe reported a total of 252 HIV patients, 39 of whom were pregnant mothers.
 “We do not know how many are dying each day, month or year in the rural areas of the province,” he said.
Kalistus advised those who were tested positive to seek assistance from NGOs, health organisers and hospitals and urged those free from HIV to remain so.
With the theme “Testim na tritim, em rait bilong yu”, Lae district health and Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) marked the day.
Nelly McLay from the LCCI said the event would also help in identifying and testing TB patients for HIV and HIV patients for TB.
More than 500 people from non-governmental organisations, schools and health bodies came together to mark the day.
Staff of Ramu Agri Industries also commemorated the day by wearing red for their Wear Red Campaign in Ramu yesterday.
Organisations that took part were Morobe Mining, Armsec, Coca-Cola, ADRA, Angau Memorial Hospital, Save the Children, ELC PNG, Faith Within and Health Culture.
Acting project manager for ADRA Darren Yoriyau said leadership was an issue in the fight against HIV and TB.