VCT centre concerned on spread of HIV/AIDS in Jiwaka Province

The Maria Kwin VCT Centre is known by many people in Jiwaka. Located within the St Anselm's Parish and run by the Catholic Sisters of Notre Dame, this centre is a hidden oasis for those seeking counselling and refuge in their distress.

Apart from coordinating the TVET courses for women, the centre is an abode for people seeking guidance and also caters for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

In an exclusive interview with the coordinator of the VCT centre there, Sr Regina Wamp, many concerns were raised on the AIDS epidemic that should be brought to relevant authorities as a high priority.

From your work here at the Centre, who comes to you for assistance?

I have a lot of women visiting and getting their blood checked. They tell me that since polygamy has become a norm in the Highlands, they fear for their lives and that's the driving force sending them here to be checked.

Which group falls under the high risk category?

Young girls under the age of 21 are at high risk here. They are the ones that get exposed to infections.

Here in the Highlands we don't have many income-generating opportunities. Coffee is a seasonal crop. Subsistence farming is a daily task, and it takes time for food to grow into maturity before it is harvested and sold for income or domestic use.

Many young women below 21 are either at school or have just dropped out from school, and they have their own challenges. They become vulnerable at this stage, and this is where I envision the need for more awareness on sex education. Parents should start breaking barriers in their homes by discussing openly the issues we PNG term as taboos.

AIDS has no boundaries and doesn't care about taboos or cultural heritage. We must start educating our children in primary schools now. Sex education must have its own curriculum and become a separate subject in school.

As a teacher and VCT counsellor, what do you think drives this epidemic?

HIV/AIDS is rapidly spreading because of the following driving forces:

Alcohol; gambling; pornography; sports and the movement of people from remote areas searching for better lives in urban areas.

The introduction of mobile phones into this country has also brought a lot of disadvantages for our people. Many people have become victims because of those mobile phones. Here in the Highlands, you hear many people mentioning phone friends. People are engaged in sexual activities over a phone.

Marriages are broken and children separated because of the mobile phones. Strong young men and women don't attend church anymore as their phones have taken over their lives. These days, people are controlled by their mobile phones. Husbands become violent when wives check their phones. Children don't get proper meals because flex cards and top ups have replaced one bag of rice for the week. People spend more money on flex cards than on food these days.

Money has blinded many young women today. They have become second, third and fourth wives because they think money is the answer to their problems. Any young man working and has a regular income is targeted by young women. We used to have moral ethics once, but I am afraid we don't anymore.

Based on your experience, what would be your suggestion in educating the masses?

I believe that more awareness must be carried out. Different target groups should be targeted. Schools’ programs should include topics on HIV/AIDS, churches should speak from the pulpits, NGOs and Government departments must reach the grassroots level and the truth must be told to everyone.

Men must have respect for women and women should learn to respect their bodies too. Domestic violence is also a factor that drives married people away from their homes. Where there is violence, HIV will rise. If there is peace in homes, it will be impossible for HIV/AIDS to penetrate.

Here at the Maria Kwin VCT Centre, we have community conversation programs. This is our tool in conducting awareness in our communities. We travel to each community on a certain day and bring all people to a central location and we do our awareness sessions. So far we have had positive responses to this program.

Do you foresee a decrease in stats for your clinic?

To be frank with you, no. I'm afraid that each year our stats increase and it poses a dangerous trend on the welfare and development of this province in terms of human resources.

Each year since the establishment of this centre, we have had an increase from 20 to 30 people infected and at a monthly rate 2 to 3 people are new cases. We have increased from 3 people to 200 infected reported cases but I can't tell how many out there are infected as they have not reported or conducted tests.

Children as young as 15 years are now exposed and my greatest concern is that, there will be no one to tend to gardens, be employed as public servants and serve Jiwaka Province if nothing is done about this. A lot of orphaned children and grandparents taking care of kids is not what we want to see.

What can the Government do to assist this centre?

This is a strategic location and we need facilities to cater for people. Stigma and discrimination is another challenging area that needs more emphasis. We can't allow stigma to rule. I have many stories and it’s heart-breaking to see children separated from their parents. This I believe is the biggest threat to people living with HIV/AIDS.

(Sr Regina Wamp is a full time teacher/VCT trained counsellor. She coordinates all programs at the VCT Clinic and Maria Kwin Senta here in St Anselm's Parish, Banz, Jiwaka Province.)

 

Author: 
Diane Mirio