UN: PNG has to target key players

IN PNG, “getting to zero go rural drive” HIV/AIDS requires an evidenced-based response that focuses on and involves key people most at risk, an AIDS programme specialist says.
United Nations Development Programme HIV/AIDS programme specialist Peterson Magoola told the World AIDS Day celebration at the Mutzing Health Centre, Markham district, Morobe, that the response to the virus was adequately resourced and grounded on human rights.
“Those countries that are acting on this knowledge of what works are reaping the rewards,” Magoola said.
He said tremendous progress was made, proving that the epidemic could be reversed and in “which HIV treatment and care can be brought to those who most needed it”.
“Infection rates have dropped in most Asia-Pacific region countries, including PNG, which the UNDP recognises the National AIDS Council Secretariat, the Department of Health and all HIV stakeholders for HIV response.
“Significant gains were achieved in HIV prevention coverage which results in safer sexual behaviours,” he said.
He said globally, HIV infections had fallen by more than 20% since 1997.
New infections continue to decline in parts of the world.
“Among populations at risk, the tide is shifting due to access to prevention services to help young people, sex workers and their clients, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and transgender to take control of their healthy well being.
“Recent evidence showed that treatment has averted 2.5 million AIDS related deaths since 1985. In 2010, 700,000 lives were saved. Some 6.6 million people who need treatment in low and middle income countries are now receiving it.
“Synergies between prevention and treatment are speeding up in progress.
“The life saving gains must be consolidated, expanded and sustained but critical challenges that remain in PNG are insufficient and inadequate HIV programmes for key populations at risk of HIV.
“About 60% of people eligible for antiretroviral treatment in the region still do not receive it and PNG continues to have frequent stock outs of crucial life saving drugs due to poor management and unworkable systems.”
“While service coverage to prevent new infections among children has significantly improved in PNG but it still needs to be expanded, supported and maintained including stigma and discrimination which is widespread and forbidding many to receive prevention related information and resources, care, treatment and support.
“Despite lofty promises in PNG, we still have laws and policies in books that hamper the AIDS response and compromise the human rights of key affected communities.”
Magoola said under the context of a global economic crisis where donor funding for AIDS was declining “all of this is happening and national funding and commitment remains insufficient”.
“We are at the crossroads in the national and global AIDS response. Success will require committed political leadership, strong national ownership and partnerships that include people living with HIV and other most affected population” he said.
“It requires increased and sustained resources to reach HIV people at risk, expand access to affordable drugs, diagnostics and prevention commodities including male and female condoms.
“Many years of the global AIDS response indicated that if it was emphasized in open, honest and dignified ways, the epidemic declined.
“Making better links and strengthening health systems to ensure drugs reach people, continued treatment without interruption, and to be sure, we have to link TB and other components of the health systems with HIV response.
“We need to put an end to the laws, policies and practices that fuel stigma and discrimination, violate rights and hinder effective AIDS response,” he said.
“To ‘get to zero’ PNG needs renewed activism, more meaningful engagement with young people, new and more strategic partnerships beyond traditional respondents ensuring respect of every one’s rights through reform of legal environment.”
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