PNG has the highest HIV prevalence amongst the Pacific nation, with the highest HIV prevalence rate of 0.89 percent among the age group of 15-49 years.
It is also estimated that there are 47,795 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in PNG.
Of these, 2,800 people are estimated to suffer new infections for this year alone (2017), of which one quarter are children and young people.
Regional manager for the National AIDS Council Secretariat, Valentine Tangoh, stated this during the Media Sensitisation Workshop in Port Moresby yesterday.
Presenting on the current prevalence case in PNG, Tangoh said the Highlands region has a prevalence rate of more than 1 percent in HIV cases, placing Enga Province as the leading province followed by Morobe with 0.77 percent, NCD with 1.29 percent and Western Province with 1.1 percent.
“It is more concentrated in certain geographical locations within key population and groups but it is clear that it is mostly concentrated in the Highlands region.”
HIV prevalence 1 percent or more is recorded mainly in the four highlands provinces.
Enga has a prevalence rate of 1.7 percent; Jiwaka has a 1.6 percent rating, Western Highlands with 1.3 percent and Eastern Highland with a 1 percent rating.
Askim na Save Studies (2011) shows a high prevalence of HIV among female sex workers at 19 percent, male sex workers at 8.8 percent and 23 percent among transgender males.”
Tangoh said the main purpose of the media sensitisation workshop is to sensitise the media in partnership with Civil Society Organisations in reporting sensitive issues affecting key populations in communities.
The workshop helps increase capacity and provide necessary funding support to CSOs to identify barriers that make it difficult for key populations to access equality services, strengthening social support and health systems to facilitate greater access to HIV and AIDS services.