While the number of new HIV infections has steadily declined worldwide in recent years, Papua New Guinea is witnessing a worrying trend in the opposite direction.
Latest data shows that the country’s HIV prevalence rate has risen to 1.5%, far exceeding the globally recognized “manageable” threshold. This figure is not only alarming—it is a loud and urgent warning.
“Globally, new HIV infections have dropped by 39% since 2010. But here in our country, they have increased significantly, with around 30 new cases every day, including babies born with HIV,” said Acting Health Secretary Ken Wai. His words should ring alarm bells across all sectors of society.
Over the past year, Papua New Guinea conducted 281,807 HIV tests, revealing that approximately 120,000 people are currently living with HIV. Yet only around 54,685 of them are receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). There were 11,000 new infections and 3,400 AIDS-related deaths in the same period. Most strikingly, new infections surged from 6,500 to 11,000, a dramatic and deeply concerning increase.
What does this mean?
It means we are not only losing control over the epidemic—it also signals an impending crisis in resource allocation.
Ken Wai warned, “If this isn’t managed, the Government will have to purchase more ART drugs, which will stretch our public health resources thin. There are also other diseases like malaria and tuberculosis that need our attention.”
He further emphasized the critical role of individual responsibility: “The Government can only do 30 percent. The remaining 70 percent is up to the people.” This is not an excuse—it is a clear-eyed statement of reality.
We must recognize that HIV is not just a medical issue. It is a complex challenge interwoven with social, educational, and ethical dimensions.
The current crisis has been exacerbated by a lack of public education, weak personal prevention awareness, and insufficient medical screening coverage. These factors, combined, have allowed the virus to spread.
Ken Wai also called for urgent attention to mother-to-child transmission: “All pregnant mothers should go to the clinic to be checked so the transmission of HIV from mother to child is prevented.” This step is critical in the broader prevention strategy and must not be overlooked.
Even more troubling is that while HIV-related deaths have not yet increased further, new infections are soaring. This kind of “surface-level stability, underlying deterioration” is both deceptive and dangerous.
At a time when many countries around the world have already normalized HIV prevention and treatment, Papua New Guinea cannot afford to leave things to chance any longer. The Government must of course strengthen investment and improve mechanisms, but without the participation of the whole population, prevention efforts will remain hollow promises.
HIV is not a problem for any single group—it is a hidden threat to society as a whole. Behind its spread lies a gap in civic awareness.
This gap must be urgently filled, or the cost will become even heavier in the future.
