MEDIA RELEASE
1 December 2006
For immediate release
AUSTRALIA FUNDS NEW HIV AND HEALTH SERVICES
The PNG Government’s campaign to fight the spread of HIV will be further strengthened by a new K50 million program funded by the Australian Government to provide sexual health services in PNG.
The new PNG-Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program (PASHIP) focuses on reducing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), to reduce the spread of HIV. It is part of the broader Australian Government program of support for PNG’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
“As PNG marks World AIDS Day, the Australian Government reaffirms its long term commitment to stand side-by-side with the Government and people of PNG in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Ms Margaret Thomas, the Head of AusAID in PNG.
People will be able to access improved sexual health services including detection and treatment, prevention advice, and education and counseling.
The new program will work with communities and existing health services to improve the way STIs are detected, treated, and prevented.
“The PNG Institute of Medical Research will be an important partner in the program, helping us to better understand STI prevalence and their underlying causes, and to identify where we can continue to improve on the work being done through this program”, said Ms Thomas.
PASHIP will be delivered through a partnership of seven NGOs. Representatives have travelled around the country over the last month to meet with stakeholders and community groups to identify the services and information people need.
Last week they met with representatives from AusAID, the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) and key national and provincial Government stakeholders to discuss how these sexual health services will be developed and delivered.
The program will be delivered in eight provinces: East New Britain, Western Highlands, National Capital District, Southern Highlands, Oro, Simbu, Eastern Highlands, and Morobe.
Media Inquiries: Anna Awasa, AusAID Public Affairs, Ph: 325 9333 ext 304,
Mobile: 693 1097
- Notes to editor:
The seven NGOs selected to design projects under the PNG-Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program (PAHSIP) are: Caritas Australia (CA), Save the Children Australia (SCA), Marie Stopes International Australia (MSIA), Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), Anglican Board of Mission (ABM), Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia (SHFPA) and the Burnet Institute.