Drug resistant HIV challenging

DRUG resistant HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) has become a major challenge for PNG, Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Elias Kapavore says.
He said there had to be a consistent supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to keep it under control.
It is important that once a person starts on the antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment, they need to have continuous supply.
Kapavore said the availability of the drug was a big challenge.
Kapavore said this during the launching of the PNG National STI (sexually-transmitted infection) and HIV strategy 2018-2022 in Port Moresby.
“People building resistance towards the ARV drugs that we are giving is a big challenge and this is our focus at the moment,” he said.
“It is important that once we start people on the ARV drugs, we must continue to have that supplyto ensure that those on treatment continue to get treatment.
“HIV and AIDS today is still an important programme and challenging issue that we continue to face in our country.
“The launching has set the pathway to understand all our responsibilities and were we need to fit in and we can work together.”
Kapavore said the new STI and HIV strategy had a huge cost implication, estimated to be around K160 million, and urged stakeholders and developing partners to work together.
He said the Government and partners should focus on prevention to make sure that people who were on treatment, continued treatment.
Kapavore said the Government was fully committed as the health sector continued to be a priority.
He thanked development partners and countries through their organisations, for their enormous contribution to implement the last two strategies, which they contributed more than 70 per cent of the funding.
Kapavore urged all partners for their support towards the this five-year plan to ensure that all programmes funded and implemented were aligned with the medium-term development plan three and sustainable development goal 2020-2030.