US donates 1.7 million HIV doses

THE United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has donated 1.7 million doses of antiretroviral drugs and two polymerase chain reaction testing machines to combat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in Papua New Guinea.
Ambassador to PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Erin McKee presented the equipment to Health secretary Dr Osborne Liko yesterday.
Ambassador McKee said the US government partnership with PNG was important to reinforce its strong commitment to support the country combat HIV/AIDS.
“The USA stands ready to help not just with prevention, access to services and containment but to win the fight against HIV/AIDS,” she said.
Ambassador McKee said the US government and the American people through USAid and implementing partner stood with PNG in a common effort to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic and ensure that people living with HIV had access to treatment and lived productive lives, free from stigma.
She said the donation reflected the US government’s strong and long-standing commitment to PNG and around the globe to strengthening health systems and achieving a shared future free from HIV/AIDS.
Health secretary Dr Liko thanked the USAid for their many donations and support to PNG and said yesterday’s donation was timely as the HIV transmission of mother to child had increased in the country and they needed proper diagnostic equipment.
Central public health laboratory manager Willie Porau said of the two PCR machines, one would be installed in Port Moresby to aid the New Guinea Islands and Southern regions and the other would be set up in Goroka to aid Highlands and Mamose.