Papua New Guinea

HIV and AIDS Programme

Since HIV was first recorded in PNG in 1987, the trend in reported HIV infections has shown a significant and steady growth. In 2009, the number of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV was estimated to be 35,800 which was equivalent to a national prevalence rate of 0.9%. To the end of 2009, a cumulative total of 11,520 people were estimated to have died because of HIV-related illnesses and 5,610 children had became orphans, losing one or both of their parents, as a result of the epidemic (National AIDS Council and National Department of Health, Consensus Workshop on HIV Estimation - 2010).

The majority of people with HIV have been diagnosed in Port Moresby and other urban and peri-urban areas, mainly in provinces linked by the Highlands Highway. However, available data indicates that the epidemic extends to every province in the country, reflecting the widely distributed and highly mobile nature of PNG's population. Recent estimates indicate that increasingly the epidemic is rural-based, where 85% of the PNG population lives, and clustered around concentrations of population, transport routes and rural enclave enterprises where there are active markets for the exchange and sale of sex.

UNDP has been supporting the government of PNG in scaling up the HIV response through strategic interventions that that focus on initiatives to enhance the capacity of Civil Society Organizations to implement the National HIV strategies; Strengthen the national monitoring and evaluation systems of HIV in PNG; Support initiatives that develop capacities to engage leaders in the HIV response; and supporting community led initiatives in addressing key drivers to the epidemic in various communities.