Rising HIV Crisis in Papua New Guinea
Nancy Karipa faced a turning point in her life when she tested positive for HIV in 1999, right after the birth of her first child. Now in her 50s, she recalls that moment at an AIDS awareness event in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. “It was a crossroads moment for me, with the fear of denial, but I chose action,” she shared. Thankfully, both she and her baby received treatment, and her child remains healthy.
Karipa, hailing from East Sepik in northern PNG, stands out for openly discussing her experiences. The stigma surrounding HIV is prevalent in the Pacific nation, making her willingness to speak out all the more crucial. This year, PNG has officially declared HIV a “national crisis.”
UNAids, a UN agency dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS, reports that PNG’s epidemic is among the most rapidly escalating in the Asia-Pacific region, along with Fiji and the Philippines.
Since 2010, new infections have doubled, and alarmingly, only about 59% of those living with the virus are aware of their status. The increase in infections among women and children is especially concerning, according to UNAids.
Manoela Manova, the UNAids country director for PNG, pointed out that mother-to-child transmission rates are very high in PNG, among the worst in the world. Various issues have compounded the crisis, particularly insufficient funding for HIV support and prevention, which has hit PNG hard. The suspension of US foreign aid earlier in the year under the Trump administration has impacted numerous clinics across the country.
Global cuts to UNAids funding have raised worries among health providers, leading to increased calls for the PNG government to take stronger action. Manova noted a significant decline in HIV awareness over the years, which has given rise to a perception that the epidemic is no longer pressing.
“That’s the feeling in both the public and political classes,” she stated.
The crisis in Papua New Guinea, a nation of about 10 million, is further exacerbated by inadequate testing and general unawareness. UNAids estimated around 11,000 new cases of HIV in 2024, nearly half of them affecting children and individuals under 25 years old.
In that year alone, around 2,700 infants contracted HIV, often due to mothers being unaware of their own status and not receiving vital antiretroviral therapy that could have stopped transmission.
“Many people don’t know their status, and that’s the first step to tackling the epidemic and getting proper treatment,” Manova explained.
Impact of US Aid Cuts on Clinics
The government officially recognized HIV as a national crisis in June, launching an emergency response that includes enhanced testing, treatment, and support measures. Ken Wai, deputy secretary of health, emphasized that while the government manages drug supplies, other necessary support services have heavily relied on US aid. With recent funding cuts to USAID impacting numerous programs, health services face serious challenges.
Wai mentioned that some limited funding has been restored for specific initiatives, such as data management and laboratory support. However, Wep Kanawi, chair of the national AIDS council, insisted that more needs to be done. The council, which aims to prevent HIV transmission and provide treatment, highlighted that direct government funding for HIV medications comes from global organizations that also receive USAID contributions. Additionally, they pointed out that more than 200 clinics providing vital HIV services have experienced funding losses due to the US aid suspension.
Kanawi called for roughly K45-K50 million (around US$10 million) annually to effectively manage the HIV epidemic.
“Many of our centers are still operating but are forced to scale down services,” he noted.
For instance, Kaugere Clinic in Port Moresby, which serves individuals seeking HIV and other health services, has felt the funding freeze’s impact. Rose Marai, a social worker at the clinic, lamented that when aid was cut, staff salaries were affected, and the clinic faced closure. Her monthly budget for community awareness programs drastically dropped from K1,000 (around US$235) to K240.
“I’ve had to resort to voluntary counseling for patients already diagnosed, as well as those dealing with issues related to gender-based violence,” Marai explained.
The US embassy in PNG has not responded to inquiries regarding USAID or the impacts of funding cuts. A statement emphasized the U.S. commitment to its partnership with Papua New Guinea, highlighting ongoing programs in security, disaster preparedness, and health.
Moreover, UNAids is grappling with a “historic funding crisis” due to reductions in the US foreign aid budget and cuts from other donor countries. A December report noted that rapid funding declines significantly affect the health of millions, although some HIV programs have been re-funded.
UNAids representatives in PNG noted, however, that additional funding from Australia, which has pledged nearly A$10 million for the current financial year, has helped buffer the effects so far. Manova remarked that this funding will enable the UNAids office in PNG to operate for another two years.
Despite this support, concerns linger regarding the epidemic’s spotlight on the vulnerabilities within the health sector and the nation’s heavy reliance on foreign aid right amid a rising number of infections.
Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko expressed the need for a “fallback position,” advocating that the long-term strategy should focus on self-sufficiency. “We can’t continue to rely on other donor partners,” he stated.
