HIV ON THE RISE IN MOROBE PROVINCE

HIV cases are on the rise in Lae City. The rise is due to cash flow and the movement of people form all the Regions. Lae based Family Planning Experts say attitudes of men must change.


HIV in Morobe Province

According to the Morobe Provincial Aids Council 250 people contract HIV per week however they say those statistics are based on people that go through voluntary testing.

Lae city has seen a spike in the number of people being contracted by HIV, the city has the highest in Morobe because of the Economic boom and cash flow.

The National Aid Council says most people infected are people between the ages of 15 and 25 years old.

“ Statistics show that between the age group of 14 and 25 have the highest numbers,” said National Aids Council Deputy Director, Philip Tapo.

The Council says they have identified high-risk segments that includes sex workers and the under privilege population of PNG that are without government services.

People that take part in risky behaviours in these segments put their family and entire life at risk.

1.Family Planning: Mens Attitudes must change

Sexual health experts say Papua New Guinea's male population can do a lot more in terms of controlling sexually transmitted infections and population growth.

A Lae based reproductive health worker, Jennifer John, says if attitudes are encouraged to change, a lot more can be achieved.

Papua New Guinea’s towns and cities are getting crowed at a very fast rate because of the country’s economic boom.

PNG Family Health Association Program Officer, Jennifer John says family planning and reproductive health awareness will help control population.

“What the association tries to do is educate the man to change their attitudes,” said John.

And with the increased population and economic boom chances of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases have also risen.

She says People in the country need to be aware of the importance of family planning and sexual reproductive health; to avoid deaths related HIV and STI’s.

Risks have increased due to the movement of people into towns and cities looking for employment.

The problems associated with reproductive health and family planning touch many hot issues such as the increase in HIV cases and domestic violence including teenage pregnancy.

Lae City, the industrial hub of Papua New Guinea is one example of these problems. The city’s increased population is at risk if attitudes don’t change.

2. Papua New Guinea Economy: Lae City is the Industrial  hub of Papua New Guinea

The heart of the problem is the movement of people looking for opportunities in Lae City. Money is flowing within the population and the trend of people engaging in risky behaviour has increased.

The city makes around K60 million in GDP per year, which means, for those who have the conveniences there is enough money to go around.

Being central to the seven provinces of the highlands and the New Guinea Islands, Lae has been classified as an high risk area, following the NCD including several provinces of the Highlands.