24 Jan 2017

PNG churches urged to overcome stigma against HIV/AIDs

From , 4:04 pm on 24 January 2017

A Christian leader in Papua New Guinea says the country's churches need to overcome discrimination and stigma to make a real difference in combatting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

PNG has extremely high rates of the virus, with a prevalence rate of about 0.5 percent, according to a 2013 UN AIDS report.

Andrew Hama, from the PNG Christian Leaders Alliance on HIV/AIDS, is organising a summit in March with the country's churches, government and NGOs, to try and coordinate their response.

Churches play a key role in healthcare and education in Papua New Guinea, and Mr Hama says they are key to helping combat the virus.

But he told Jamie Tahana the church also has to overcome some of its stigmas - particularly against the homosexual community - too.

Residents sell their goods near a anti-Aids billboard in Mount Hagen, 18 August 2007.

Residents sell their goods near a anti-Aids billboard in Mount Hagen, 18 August 2007. Photo: ANOEK DE GROOT / AFP