HIV/AIDS is everyone’s business
The deadly scourge of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are pervasive and grappling Papua New Guinea at a very disturbing and alarming rate.
It must be reiterated that despite positive outcomes on various programmes combating HIV/AIDS and STI’s, PNG must not rest on its laurels and ensure efforts prevail.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has flagged a warning and sounded the alarm that PNG and its Pacific neighbours must prepare to fight health issues with a holistic approach because it is everybody’s business.
Health secretary Dr Clement Malau agrees that PNG has massive health problems especially in HIV/AIDS and STI’s, therefore, “responses must be focused and kept simple”. He believes it must be everybody’s business.
He was speaking during the 8th Pacific Health Ministers Forum in Madang last week.
Dr Malau said PNG must improve its health service delivery, focus on its priorities and strengthen health systems if change was desired, not only in combating HIV/AIDS but health issues across the board.
The reason for PNG to be the fore runner in the HIV/AIDS battle is because of the ugly fact that our prevalence rates are some of the highest in the Pacific region.
Figures released last December show PNG now has 28,294 people living with HIV/AIDS and counting; 44% are male and 51% are females.
Between January and December 2008, just over 5,000 newly diagnosed cases were reported.
And from these data recorded, NCD tops the charts with 40%, Western Highlands 17%, Eastern Highlands 15%, Morobe and Enga 7% and SHP 5%.
These are the statistics for provinces the cases were reported in. Collectively, these figures make up 91% of the newly diagnosed figures for last year. From the 91%, 45% did not record their province of origin.
For the 55% who did record their province of origin, Western Highlands makes up 13%, Enga 10%, Simbu 6%, Southern Highlands 5%, Central 3%, East Sepik and Gulf 2%.
The bloodcurdling thing is that these are “reported” cases and are “cumulative”, meaning there are thousands unreported and the figures continue to rise daily. The other frightening point is that out of the cases detected, most are young adults aged 20-24. These are youngsters who are sexually active.
You may have a relaxed perception thinking everything is all right, but think again, because since last December, how many of these people have had unprotected sex?
Hypothetically speaking, let’s say a sex worker has unprotected sex, say once a night. Multiply 30 days a month by seven months that have elapsed and that’s an alarming 210 more new cases.
In theory, you keep on multiplying these figures against the yearly total and it’s a nightmare.
It is a real scary threat and if we do not proactively devise a proper combat strategy now, this nation is at great risk. That is why we agree with Dr Malau that the fight against the spread of AIDS is everyone’s business, from the politician and CEO to the man on the street and in the village. Everyone must do his/her part.
For instance, the Community Development Department has to promote gender equity, so women can lead and make decision, the Education sector has to create curriculums that are promoting healthy lifestyles, while Works has to build and maintain road links so health becomes mobile and accessible.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock should come in with ways of growing healthy nutritious food so people are eating and living healthy lives.
All arms of the National Government have to stand up, and stand in unison with the Health Department for the cause.
Dr Malau has confirmed that the roll-out of the new health plan to streamline the Health Department with a single authority, can achieve results because it encompasses the holistic approach.
He said it should not be about money, where it goes or where it comes from, but it had to be focused entirely on the human face of development.
Deputy Health secretary Dr Paison Dakulala concurred with Dr Malau and reiterates the HIV/AIDS epidemic is gaining momentum and PNG had to tackle it and prevent it from developing out of proportion.
“We have many challenges and HIV/AIDS tops them all, we have to grapple with these challenges to get results,” he said.
There is a saying – the choice one makes today, determines the future. In this war on HIV/AIDS – the choices we all make count – so make the right choice.
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