Papua New Guinea still has the highest incidence and prevalence for HIV in the pacific region and is home to more than 95 percent of HIV cases identified in the region.
While globally, infections among adults have stalled, Dr Sibauk Bieb, Public Health Manager from the National Department of Health, highlights that some regions, including PNG, have seen a rise in the number of new infections.
Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Dr Bieb said there was a rise in new infections last year compared to previous years.
He noted an increase of .8 percent on HIV prevalence, which is an increase from .65 percent in the previous year.
Deputy chairman of the World AIDS Day, Robert Eri, on the other hand, clarified that the prevalence rate has moved away from the general population to only key affected populations.
The PNG National AIDS secretariat identifies this population as the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) group in communities.
Eri said the Secretariat is now more focused on this concentrated minority but stressed that funding is still a major issue in reaching out effectively to addressing the issue.
The Health Ministry yesterday announced its commitment in continuing the eradication of HIV/AIDS, in collaboration with all partners and stakeholders, including the key population.
(Some of the Port Moresby residents who took part in yesterday’s World AIDS Day march)
