Agency calls for more research to address HIV effectively

RESEARCH is vital in HIV response, according to FHI 360 representative Justine Nankinga.
FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organisation dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally-driven solutions.
Its staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing — creating a mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges.
FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all US states and territories.
Nankinga said research showed the missing elements and links and set the direction for the response to HIV in the country.
“We need to resource and fund the research programmes that are taking place in the country as there are of the local context,” he said.
“We cannot use research done in other countries to solve issues in PNG.
“We need to find out what is happening in PNG in order to properly address the HIV epidemic.”
Nankinga was speaking during the launching of a research report carried out by the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and adolescent girls and young women living with HIV.
The research was conducted in 2015 in Port Moresby and Goroka in partnership with University of New South Wales (UNSW), Kirby Institute (UNSW), Unicef, Burnett Institute, Centre for Social and Creative Media, Port Moresby General Hospital and Health Department.
The research aimed at finding out the causes and impact of mother to child transmission and came up with solutions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and retaining women in care and treatment.