14 Oct 2010

PNG Planning Minister says condom use no solution to HIV

6:28 pm on 14 October 2010

Papua New Guinea's National Planning Minister says using condoms is not the way to tackle his country's high rate of HIV infection.

The National newspaper reports that Paul Tiensten made the comment while presenting the government's medium term development plan to development partners yesterday.

Mr Tiensten queried PNG's HIV infection rate, saying organisations such as Business Against HIV/AIDS or BAHA are given a lot of funding but lack effective strategies.

He says the use of condoms and promoting condoms are neither strategies nor solutions but marketing ploys for manufacturers who make millions through product sales.

Mr Tiensten says the only way to stop the spread of HIV in PNG is by empowering people so that they make a difference for themselves.