AusAID withdraws support

 AUSAID withdrew its financial assistance to the Anglicare HIV/AIDS programme in June after 10 years of service. 

In a statement, Northern provincial programme manager Stewart Seko said AusAID had withdrawn because of a low prevalence rate.  

United States Ambassador Walter North visited the Anglicare office in Popondetta to organise dialogue to provide funding assistance for HIV/AIDS programmes. 

“North’s meeting with Anglicare did not suggest any funding assistance, nor did it make any commitment but established dialogue for the continued mutual relationship and understanding of the importance and quality of services that must be rendered to areas that are most needed with concerns relating to HIV and AIDS,” Seko said.

“North took the trip purposely to see how the life-saving programmes and activities were carried out by Anglicare. 

“Anglicare is a HIV/AIDS programme that concentrates on providing training for community volunteers in the areas of prevention and awareness, counselling and care home based, monitoring of ART (anti-retroviral) clients and adult literacy programmes.”

Seko said three clients under the ART programme had died in the past three months as a result of financial constraints. 

“The death scenario teaches PNG the funding agency’s prerogatives to go where they choose, to put their money and what happens when we become too dependent on them.

“Anglicare has been operating in the past three months through the sponsorship of Oro (Northern) Governor Garry Juffa, with funding assistance of K100,000 when he was told of the situation.

“We are grateful for Juffa’s support in the work of Anglicare to help the people of Oro make better and informed decisions as well as assist those  who are on ART treatment,” Seko said.