Work to address huge HIV/AIDS burden

Health officials and partners say HIV self screening kits will expand access to testing, helping more Papua New Guinean's know their status in a confidential and convenient way. (Image: UNAIDS)

The country has a significant burden of HIV/AIDS in the country, prompting a national crisis to be declared last May.

The National Department of Health and its partners are working in collaboration to bend the curve.

The introduction of the HIV self-screen kits is among the latest interventions in this effort.

The self-screen kits are expected to provide a confidential and convenient testing option that complements existing facility-based services and especially important for the country whose population faces stigma, distance and limited access to services.

National Department of Health HIV/STI Program Manager Dr Nano Gideon says there are about 500 HIV/AIDS testing sites in the country with over 280,000 people tested in 2024, figures which have doubled in 2025.

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase says the government is putting funding towards this fight against HIV/AIDS, with K15.7 million allocated in this year’s budget.

Key Populations Advocacy Consortium Executive Director Leslie Bola commended the initiative, saying it will be a great help to them when going out into the communities.