National Department of Health clarifies USAID withdrawal will not affect PNG
The National Department of Health has clarified it does not get direct funding support from the United States through USAID.
The withdrawal or cut to funding by the United States has left many in doubt and uncertainty, with some speculations that this will affect health programs roll out in the country.
However, Deputy Secretary of Public Health Ken Wai told NBC News, that direct support from USAID goes to non-government organizations, who then run and manage programs in the country.
He's added specifics of these funding cut impacts will be made known by these NGOs like FHI 360 and Global fund among others.
“USAID finances an organization called FHI 360, and they probably have about 14 or some staff there about, and they help us with data recording, and then one laboratory coordinator who has been helping us at the Central Public Health Laboratory, at the NCD Provincial Health Authority.
"WHO gets the money on the gender issues, and maybe UNAIDS, and a few others, also get money directly for technical support.
"We've asked for one or two support for the malaria elimination program, and they were supposed to help us with one technical advisor, but we are trying to look at how we can manage accordingly", Wai said.
Wai has also clarified that this funding cut will not affect the supply of anti-retroviral drugs or ARTS and reagents for people living with HIV/AIDS in the country as the National Government through the Department of Health fully funds and buys them.
He says about K12.5 million has been budgeted for the ART drugs this year:
“USAID has done some cuts, but for us in health, for the HIV medicines, the HIV antiretroviral, so it's not purchased by USAID or any others. We get a bit of support from the global fund,” Wai said.
Mr. Wai says there is no stock out of ART drugs at present.
“We've requested them to do an upfront release, but nothing is here.
"But from the monies last year, we put new orders.
"At the moment, we have drugs on stock, and we've done a new order with another 3.2 million, and that's being paid to Bank of PNG. So, we don't have a stock out and new orders are being made. Normally, we give the money to UNICEF,” Wai said.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is on the rise with about 77-thousand people living with the virus presently in the country.
About 44 thousand of them are on the anti-retroviral drugs or ARTS.
Mr Wai told NBC News, there's been about 6500 cases reported annually:
Need for more awareness
Meantime, there is a need for a more concerted effort towards raising awareness of the alarming increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the country.
Deputy Secretary Public Health Ken Wai says awareness must be done by everyone and in all places.
The lack of awareness on HIV/AIDS has also been attributed to its increase.
The epidemic is steadily increasing, and this is concerning health authorities.
Mr. Wai called for safe sex practices, and to stick to one partner.
He's called on women with the virus who are pregnant to visit their nearest health facility to be tested and put on treatment and in turn stop the mother to child transmission:
The National Aids Council Secretariat has been allocated K5 million, with K2 million for HIV support.