Support for PNG’s fight against HIV/AIDS

Today - World AIDS Day - the Australian High Commission has renewed its commitment to support Papua New Guinea’s response to HIV/AIDS.

Representatives from the Australian High Commission joined the PNG Government and development partners at a national HIV expo in Port Moresby to promote prevention and treatment.

Acting Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Bronte Moules, said combatting HIV and communicable diseases remained priorities for Australia’s aid program.

“Improving health, along with education, and gender equality, is essential to building a skilled and competitive workforce and lifting living standards for Papua New Guineans,” Ms Moules said.

“The Papua New Guinea Government is to be congratulated for continuing to provide life-saving antiretroviral treatment free of charge to those who need it.

“While there is a low national HIV prevalence, there are most-at-risk populations who remain at significantly higher risk of HIV infection. These people need to remain a focus area of support, along with prevention and testing for the wider community.

“We are committed to supporting the combined efforts of the PNG health sector and civil society partners like the Catholic HIV/AIDS Services and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, as well as the vital role played by small local organisations such as Susu Mamas, which has expanded services for the prevention of mother to child transmission.”

Australia is providing more than K40 million towards PNG’s national HIV response this year. Australia’s support last year helped to provide testing for more than 78,000 people, counselling for 7500 people, HIV testing for more than 43,000 women, and distributed more than two million male and female condoms.