Global AIDS - Papua New Guinea

AIDS cases among region's highest - 'The National' - December 2, 2004 - By Lucy Kapi
Men and women marching together to support anti-AIDS campaign.

PAPUA New Guinea has one of the highest HIV/AIDS incidences in the Asia-Pacific region and it is rearing its head to shape the future of the country, said a foreign diplomat.

The Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission, Crispin Conroy, said disease control experts met in PNG last week to examine HIV epidemiological data.

Mr Conroy was speaking at the launching of the HIV/AIDS Management Prevention Act, handbook and human rights posters at the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby last Friday.

A 2002 report, he said, examined the potential economic impacts of HIV in the country.

The report concluded that:

• HIV/AIDS has the potential to worsen poverty, with measures of economic welfare falling between 12 and 48% by the year 2020;
• the labour force could be 13-18% lower by 2020 than that projected without HIV;
• and the budget deficit is forecast to increase by between nine and 21% within the same period.

"People often compare the HIV epidemic in PNG to that in Africa where some countries have infection rates of around 30%.

"If left unaddressed, rates of infection in PNG could reach these levels in 10 years time.

"This would mean more than 1.5 million people in PNG living with the virus. These are sobering statistics, and action must be taken now for the sake of Papua New Guineans, and for the sake of the country's future," said Mr Conroy.

He commended the Government for the adoption of HAMP, adding that the unanimous approval by the National Parliament of the new law demonstrates a willingness to address the epidemic.

PNG Defence Force commander, Commodore Peter Ilau was also present at the occasion where he was given the opportunity to launch the HAMP materials on behalf of Justice Minister Mark Maipakai and Health Minister Melchior Pep.