Australia Boosts Support to PNG HIV Response Amid Rising Infections

 Australia has stepped up its support to Papua New Guinea’s HIV response following a concerning rise in new infections, which have doubled since 2010.

Health authorities say Papua New Guinea continues to face a challenging HIV situation, with the impacts being felt widely across families and communities throughout the country.

Australia Boosts Support to PNG HIV Response Amid Rising Infections/Photo supplied

In response, Australia has significantly increased its HIV development assistance to PNG since early 2025. The expanded support includes renovations to major HIV clinics in Port Moresby, aimed at providing safer and more dignified care for patients.

The assistance also covers youth-led education and outreach programs, along with strengthened partnerships involving government agencies, churches, the private sector, and international organisations.

A key component of the increased support is a new initiative known as HIV Outcomes, Resilience, Integration, Zero New Infections (HORIZON), which will focus on provinces with high HIV burden.

The program will be implemented by UNICEF in partnership with local and international organisations. It will support the training of 120 health workers across six provinces, while also expanding access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services.

Authorities say the initiative will mobilise communities through Village Health Assistants and strengthen efforts to protect mothers and infants, particularly in reducing new infections.

Over the next two years, the HORIZON program is expected to reach up to 3.3 million people, including more than 105,000 mothers and newborns.

Australia says the expanded support is aimed at strengthening PNG’s health systems, supporting local leadership, and building a sustainable long-term response to HIV.