Hagen clinic opens doors to rape, sexual abuse victims

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 05th July, 2012

By YVONNE HAIP
THE risks of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections as a result of sexual assault and rape as well as falling pregnant are high.
But there is a treatment to prevent this that is available in the country now.
The Tininga Clinic in Mt Hagen is now treating abused victims with Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
PEP is a treatment started immediately after exposure in order to prevent infection and the development of disease.
According to regional HIV and STI specialist, Dr Petronia Kaima, PEP prevents the occurrence of HIV, STI’s and pregnancy in women and girls who are sexually abused if the victim seeks treatment inside 72 hours.
Kaima said that married women could also seek help at the clinic if their husband had had extra marital affairs, especially during the election period.
She encouraged women and girls to visit the clinic as PEP could save their lives.
In recognition of the clinic’s efforts, the Western Highlands provincial AIDS council presented K1,000 to assist its operations.
The clinic also provides voluntary HIV counselling and testing and distributes the antiretroviral drug to people living with HIV.
The provincial AIDS council has also stepped up its fight against the spread of the disease by ma­king condoms available at campaign houses during the election period.
PAC technical officer, Apollos Yimbak said the election period was the breeding time for HIV and STI’s and they were doing their part in cutting down the number of cases.
The council has also implemented other programmes to educate community members on how to care for people who have HIV.