HIV a threat to Pacific Games

 I WRITE to express my concern about the highly likely spread of HIV during 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby in July. 

I hope the Pacific Games Organising Committee and the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) have developed mechanism to prevent the spread of this killer disease. 

I assume the NACS, the body responsible for HIV response in this country, will lead and provide technical support to the Games Organising Committee to find ways to implement necessary prevention strategies.

 If NACS is ready to deliver this programme then they must announce to the PNG and Pacific communities that they are ready to deliver a HIV-free Pacific Games.

One of the vehicles that transport HIV from one person to another is a big social or sporting event and forthcoming Games is no exception. 

It is anticipated that a large number of international and local athletes, team management, international and local media personnel, spectators and people of all works of life will converge on the nation’s capital during July.

It is a fact of life that some of them will be carrying the dreaded virus.

There is no question as to why HIV will not find its way out to infected people of reckless sexual behaviour. 

We must not bank on “know HIV attitude” but proactively implement HIV prevention programs during the game.

Many researches have proven that after major events like general political election or cultural show, there is a major increase in pregnancies, sexual transmitted Infections and HIV. 

Government authorities such as the NACS must not go into sleep on this life-threatening issue as the Pacific Games is highly likely to facilitate the spread of HIV infections.

While we’re happy to host the best Games ever, we must also prepare to deliver the best ever safety measures, both on and off the field.

Simon Kange, Via email