PNG: HIV, STIs set to rise

From the March 2008 issue of Positive Living

Fears that increased movement of people from PNG into the Torres Strait Protection Zone will lead to increased HIV transmission and STIs is the subject of ongoing discussion between high level officials from PNG and Australia. So far, tuberculosis has been spread through these increased movements of people from PNG and current estimates that up to 2000 PNG citizens are accessing health services in Queensland each year are adding concerns over border control.

Australia is contributing nearly $60million a year to HIV programs in PNG through AusAID, but this report highlights the need to strike a balance between formal mechanisms of in country support with more regional approaches, including border control and special purpose visas permitting visits to health centres in Queensland.

Source: The Australian March 1, 2008

Text size: A A A

This article was first published in March 2008.

While the content of this article was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.