Cardinal reminds church leaders to fight HIV/AIDS stigma

By JESHER TILTO
MORE needs to be done in regards to the HIV/AIDS awareness in the country, says Cardinal Sir John Ribat.
He told members of the PNG Christian Leaders Alliance on HIV/AIDS and church leaders in Port Moresby that the focus on HIV/AIDS waned when the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic appeared two years ago.
“Now there needs to be more awareness done,” he said.
He reminded church leaders around the country to remind people about HIV/AIDS and to deal with the related stigma and discrimination.
Officials from the National AIDS Council and the Department of Health also attended and tabled data on the current HIV/AIDS statistics. They provided information on current HIV/AIDS trends that would help church leaders in their response and awareness.
The meeting was held to get a better understanding of the status of HIV/AIDS in PNG within a church setting.
It also highlighted the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with HIV/AIDS and how the church could be more responsive.
The PNG National AIDS Council Secretariat in September last year said 54,845 people were living with HIV/AIDS in the country.