Anglicare takes new approach

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
ANGLICARE PNG is taking a new approach in tackling the growth of HIV/AIDS by using the community conversation initiative concept.
The non-governmental group has conducted trainings for its programme officers from the five branches across the country to equip them on basic understanding and execution procedures of the programme.    
The programme will involve communities to identify common social problems in their areas that contribute to the spread of HIV.
It will also engage them in making decisions and solutions based on their discretion that will support strategic planning of preventing the spread of HIV. 
The initiative was introduced by the PNG Sustainability Development Program to Anglicare PNG.
PNGSDP allocated K40,500 to Anglicare for the training in Port Moresby last month.
The programme officers were taught basic communication skills on how to approach and deliver to the people.  
Anglicare has five branches in the country and a trial will be done in National Capital District, Mt Hagen and Popondetta to evaluate the progress and benefits before it will be rolled out to branches in Wabag and Lae.
National director Heni Meke said the strategy was a direct and effective approach to working with communities in fighting the HIV/AIDS in rural and urban areas.
“Anglicare is known for its roles in the HIV/AIDS fight through HIV prevention and it has made a commitment to redefine the ‘HIV prevention’ concept to achieve a more effective approach to fight the disease. The community conversation concept is proven to be effective,” she said.
Research has shown that PNG has a more generalised epidemic of which HIV/AIDS prevalence is triggered by sexual behaviour.
Meke said creating a specific prevention stra­tegy suitable to PNG setting would successfully achieve its goals of reducing HIV spread.