Alarming cases of HIV/AIDS in PNG

Papua New Guinea has experienced an alarming number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV cases since 2022.

A report presented by the Acting Manager of Disease Control at the National Health Department, Dr. Peniel Boas, at the 2024 National Health Conference indicated that there are about 77-thousand HIV and AIDs prevalent cases in the country at present, half of which are women.

Of the 77-thousand HIV and AIDS prevalent cases in the country, 44 thousand are women, 28 thousand are men, and 4,500 are children.

"HIV infections have gone up by 103 percent with 6,500 new infections in 2022. The HIV prevalence is high among pregnant mothers and key populations," Dr Boas said.

The high rate of HIV transmission reached 30 percent in 2023.

Thirteen provinces reached the National prevalence rate of 1 percent.

Dr. Boas highlighted that HIV prevention and testing is lacking in most provinces.

"Provinces that reached more than 1% of HIV prevalence include Southern Highlands, Morobe, NCD, Northern, West Sepik, Manus, Jiwaka, Hela, Enga, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, and Central.

Provinces with shallow testing include East and West Sepik, Southern Highlands, Northern, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, New Ireland, Milne Bay, Gulf, East New Britain, and Central", he said.

Despite the increase in several cases, HIV-related deaths have been stabilized since 2010 with the use of Antiretroviral Therapy or ART drugs.

Dr. Boas said in 2023, about 48 thousand which is 64 percent of the prevalent cases received ART.

This prevented 33-thousand deaths in PNG and further prevented 2,600 new infections.

Dr. Boas emphasized that HIV is a life-long treatment and the government is funding this but to put patients on treatment for many years is a costly exercise.

He said prevention is the best way to address this deadly disease.

Meanwhile, Port Moresby General Hospital’s Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor Glen Mola told NBC News that lack of awareness in the recent years, have contributed to the spike in HIV prevalent cases.

He noted that unlike 10-years ago, condoms are not readily available, no more education going on in schools on safe sex and there is also a general view that condom cover sex which unfortunately leads to transmission of virus.