National AIDS Council

In a workshop held last Friday, UNFPA reported that this is the first time in the Pacific Region including Papua New Guinea, for a national guideline, being developed that considers the potential of condom programming in contributing to sustainable development, putting the rights, needs and aspiration of all sexually active individuals at the centre.

The guidelines are being developed for the Department of Health and the National AIDS Council. 

This comes as the country faces a shortage of supplies relating to combating the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The donation was made at the National AIDS Council Secretariat headquarters in Port Moresby in the presence of the US Ambassador to PNG, Catherine Ebert-Gray.

The 40 cartons of strawberry scented condoms and 120 cartons of water based lubricants were unloaded and placed in the NAC’s office.

Chairman of the National AIDS Council, John Ipidari, said insufficient funding for the secretariat in the last 3 to 4 years hindered awareness and education activities.

However, the increase in cases prompted the government and donor agencies to respond accordingly.

He said the epidemic attacks everyone, irrespective of age and race.

Ipidari further pointed out that socialising responsibly is the first step to protecting yourself from the epidemic.

The immediate brief swearing in ceremony of the new council gave legitimacy to the convening of an urgent meeting which was held after the signing of their oaths. 

According to the NAC Chairman, John Ipidari, the special meeting was purposely to discuss urgent matters which have been affecting the operations of the organisation for the past several months in the absence of a Council and a director.