HIV infections still increasing 72,000 cases reported in PNG

PAPUA New Guinea has 72,000 persons living with the HIV virus, the National AIDSs Council Secretariat (NACS) says.
“This is the information that we should not be complacent about but take proactive measures to halt new HIV infections,” NACS acting director Tony Lupiwa stressed.
“We are now seeing 18 new HIV infections in a day, which has doubled from nine the previous year, about 6,500 new infections by end of 2022.”
NACS is so concerned that it has decided to consult more provinces this year to sign agreements to take over HIV response at sub-national level.
Lupiwa said NACS was taking the approach to partner provinces and be more proactive in addressing and preventing transmission of new HIV infections in respective provinces.
“The current statistics show that HIV is on the rise in PNG and crosses to all provinces, therefore, it is important we work closely with the provinces to prevent and control HIV/AIDS and STIs and other social issues affecting the general and key populations,” Lupiwa said.
“We are now seeing 18 new HIV infections in a day, which has doubled from nine the previous year.
“All in all, PNG has 72,000 persons living with HIV and this is the information that we should not be complacent about but take proactive measures to halt new HIV infections.”
NACS recently staged an agreement consultative meeting with Madang.
Working in consultation with NACS, Madang has developed its draft agreement and the meeting with NACS was to review and consolidate the document before the actual signing takes place.
NACS advocacy and social mobilisation manager Valentine Tangoh, when making a presentation on the HIV situation, said agreements with provinces were to provide mechanisms to strengthen partnership between NACS, the provincial administrations Madang health authority (PHA), district development authority and other mandated agencies at sub-national level to manage the HIV response in the country.
Overall, the parties engaged in the agreements are NACS,
provincial and local level governments and provincial administration, provincial health authorities,district development authorities, the Health Department and Department of Provincial and Local Level Governments Affairs.
Meanwhile, Madang PHA chief executive officer Fidelis Waipma assured his support for such partnership, stating: “Having that partnership to address such issues as HIV is crucial if we are to make any difference.”