The Australian Examines HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea

The Australian on Saturday examined HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. According to The Australian, HIV is spreading in the country in large part because of stigma, polygamy and high-risk behaviors, particularly among men. Approximately 2% of the population is living with HIV, and by 2012 that figure could reach 5%, The Australian reports. Almost 50% of Australia's annual $358 million in aid to Papua New Guinea is devoted to HIV/AIDS programs, and 70% of the country's health resources soon will be allocated to programs addressing the disease. Tessie Soi -- coordinator of social work at Port Moresby General Hospital and founder of the nongovernmental organization Friends Foundation -- said that she often arranges burials for HIV-positive people who are abandoned by their families because of their status. She added that in 2007, there were almost 4,000 infants orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The Australian also profiled several HIV-positive people living in Papua New Guinea (Toohey, The Australian, 2/7).

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