Papua New Guinea, the World's Next AIDS Frontier

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is on the brink of a southern-African-style AIDS epidemic, but political corruption and a fractured society are hampering anti-AIDS efforts there, say international aid officials. Out of a population of 5.2 million, at least 150 people in PNG are infected with HIV each month, an increase of 20 percent per year, said Shigeru Omi, the World Health Organization's Western Pacific regional director. Australian officials estimate the HIV rate could increase by as high as 40 percent per year, resulting in 1 million infections within six years.

HIV in PNG has spread primarily through heterosexual activity and, fueled by growing prostitution, a culture of promiscuity, and a high incidence of rape. But the complexity of PNG's society -- a tense alliance of nearly 800 tribes each speaking its own language and mistrustful of outsiders -- makes HIV prevention a struggle. In addition, fear, shame and ignorance about AIDS have made HIV patients pariahs in their own homes and communities.

Since its independence from Australia in 1975, PNG has been plagued by political instability and mismanagement. Despite a wealth of natural resources, funding for health, education and basic public services remain sparse -- leading to charges that generations of politicians have plundered money for themselves and their tribal constituencies. This month, Australia dispatched 210 police and 64 civil servants to PNG with the aim of getting funds where they are needed and improving security.

Yet signs of hope remain in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Recently, the government set up two parliamentary committees on HIV/AIDS, and a five-year, $30 million initiative by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria will begin next year. USAID, Australia and the European Union and other nongovernmental organizations are working with the National AIDS Council and other groups to establish HIV treatment and prevention programs.

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