PNG Health Staff Renew Call for Early HIV Testing Amid Rising Cases
Health workers in Papua New Guinea are calling on citizens to get tested for HIV as early as possible amid rising infection rates across the country.
The appeal came from Sr. Helen Dabaraota of Hohola Urban Clinic during the official reopening of the St Therese HIV Clinic this week. She said early detection and timely treatment can help reduce transmission and improve quality of life for those affected.
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| PNG Health Staff Renew Call for Early HIV Testing Amid Rising Cases |
“We want to encourage everybody to come in for test as early as possible so they know their status,” Sr. Helen said. “They can go on treatment as early as possible so they can live healthy and long and not transmit the virus.”
She added that access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has drastically improved outcomes for patients. “The death rate has gone down, and people are living longer, healthier lives thanks to ART,” she said.
According to health authorities, Papua New Guinea recorded approximately 11,000 new HIV infections in 2024—an average of 30 new cases daily, including seven infants infected through mother-to-child transmission.
Sr. Helen said stigma, misinformation, and cultural barriers continue to prevent people from getting tested. However, community outreach and dual testing initiatives have been effective in identifying new cases earlier.
Between July and September 2025, the St Therese Clinic tested 828 people, confirming 65 positive results, mostly among adults aged 35 to 40. The clinic now supports more than 900 active ART patients and serves over 200 individuals monthly, reinforcing its commitment to fighting HIV across Papua New Guinea.
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