HIV & AIDs transmission to newborn babies rise

Minister for Health and HIV AIDs Elias Kapavore in Jiwaka during the opening of various impact projects and grand opening of Jiwaka Provincial Medical Transit Store (Image: NBC Owned)

Around 2,700 new born babies contract HIV & AIDs every year through blood and fluid transmission during childbirth.

Health Minister Elias Kapavore revealed during the opening of the Jiwaka Provincial Medical Transit Store in Jiwaka last week.

Minister Kapavore in appealing to mothers and girls to check their HIV & AIDs status during pregnancy to avoid transmission said its sad but, preventative measures must be taken in order to save lives.

"Not only in HIV & AIDs but cervical cancer is another silent and deadly killer, killing on average at least four women every day," he said.

The National Department of Health plans to roll out a public health vaccination program this year targeting girls aged 9 to 18, aimed at protecting against cervical cancer.

“The government will target 900,000 girls to protect them from cervical cancer,” Mr Kapavore said.

Minister Kapavore saidthat health is a public business, and the national government is committed to driving health agendas forward for a better, healthier PNG.