Posted on 08 December 2023
At the end of 2019, there were 3,300 new cases of HIV in PNG, with a prevalence rate of 0.85% among 15–49-year-olds. New reports reveal in 2022 there was around 6,500 cases. This was the highest HIV rate ever recorded in PNG in a single year, with a 91% increase in new infections from 2020-2022.
Tony Lupiwa, the National Aids Council Secretariat's acting director, says a lack of awareness and prevention messaging contributes massively to the issue. World AIDS Day was celebrated on December 1, and in PNG was themed “Let Communities Lead” – “a call for action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles”, announced Lupiwa.