NCDC helps AIDS council with K250,000

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE National Capital District provincial AIDS council yesterday received a K250,000 support grant from the National Capital District Commission as a continuous partnership in fighting HIV in the country.
National Capital District governor Powes Parkop delivered a cheque to NCD PAC in a ceremony at the NACS office in Port Moresby.
The grant was under the government-city management initiative between the two entities to develop strategical support and programmes for the HIV fight in the country.
The support comes from NCDC every year with a K200,000 budget previously.
The grant is to be used within the period of February to June in the HIV projects and programmes.
The partnership developed since Parkop came into office as governor and has been consistent in his work in reducing HIV prevalence in the city and country as a whole.
“This is a commitment I have made and I will never deviate from it because HIV is a major concern that when one is affected by the virus it has a consequential effect in the society,” he said.
Director for National AIDS Council Secretariate Wep Kanawi spoke on behalf of the NCD PAC thanked Parkop saying “reducing HIV prevalence was a huge area of response which NCD, Mt Hagen and Lae are at high risk and the amount given will contribute a lot to the work done so far”.
HIV response cordinator Idu Aluvula said the money would be used to work on three target areas under the national strategic plan 2011-15, particularly:
l Prevention, through general awareness and workshops;
l Care and counselling support; and
l Systems strengthening through forum, churches summit and HIV training.