World AIDS Day 2016

HIV prevention goes beyond access to services

The United Nations Population Fund executive director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, says progress on prevention has stagnated.

“Since 2010, the annual number of new infections among adults has remained unchanged,” says Dr Osotimehin in a statement.

“Antiretroviral treatment has reached more than 18 million people in 2016 and has saved millions of lives and reduced the risk of new infections. But treatment alone cannot stop the spread of HIV.

It can save your life!

This was stressed earlier yesterday by Dr Sibauk Bieb, Public Health Manager from the National Department of Health.

He said in the fight to eradicate HIV/AIDS, prevention still remains the best option and referred the public back to the most basic method – using condom.

In its efforts to prevent the increase of HIV infections, the Health Ministry has made a stand to promote condoms throughout the country.

PNG sees rise in new infections

While globally, infections among adults have stalled, Dr Sibauk Bieb, Public Health Manager from the National Department of Health, highlights that some regions, including PNG, have seen a rise in the number of new infections.

Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Dr Bieb said there was a rise in new infections last year compared to previous years.

He noted an increase of .8 percent on HIV prevalence, which is an increase from .65 percent in the previous year.

HIV will not suddenly disappear: Chairman

This year's national theme, set by the PNG National AIDS Secretariat, is Hands up for #HIV prevention - count me in.

"People need to know that HIV will not suddenly disappear and that's the essence of the march,” said the WAD deputy chairman, Robert Eri.

"We all need to wake up to the fact that everybody has to be responsible, everybody's got to take ownership, everybody has to stand and be counted.

"Many think AIDS is under control but we need to continue on the awareness."

Residents gather to mark AIDS day

The dawn of December 1 has brought Port Moresby residents out to commemorate the World AIDS Day together.

A crowd of at least a 100 people have gathered at the Unagi Oval to march in awareness of the global epidemic.

They've come prepared with banners, placards and chants in line with the theme for this year: "Hands up for #HIV prevention - count me in”.

The march pass will begin at Unagi Oval, go towards Boroko Motors traffic lights - Waigani Dr, head to Four-Mile via Hubert Murray H/way then to Sir Jack Pidik Park, Five-Mile.

End AIDS epidemic by 2030!

Supporting the World AIDS Day today (Dec 1), he states: “Thirty-five years since the emergence of AIDS, the international community can look back with some pride but we must also look ahead with resolve and commitment to reach our goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“There has been real progress in tackling the disease. More people than ever are on treatment. Since 2010, the number of children infected through mother-to-child transmission has dropped by half. Fewer people die of AIDS-related causes each year. “And people living with HIV are living longer lives.”

Weekly Health Advice from PMGH – World AIDS Day, 1st December 2016

World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.