NCD, Morobe and Western Highlands leading HIV/AIDS provinces

New statistics revealed today by the National Aids council in conjunction with UNAIDS show NCD, Morobe and Western Highlands are leading provinces in HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Overall, an estimated 52 000 people are living with HIV/AIDS, mainly people between the age of 15 – 49 whom are most affected, while 32 000 are on Anti-retroviral drugs.

New infections have increased by 27% between 2010 and 2019.

UNAIDS Epidemiologist Dr. Shepard Machekera from Zimbabwe, says at the end of 2019, over 3, 300 people were tested positive to HIV.

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Dr. Shepard says PNG has the third highest HIV drug resistance in the world, because of a very weak health system, stock outs and treatment interruption.

He says approximately 30 000 have already died.

Although stigma and discrimination are very high in the country, Dr. Shepard is urging people living with HIV/AIDS to seek treatment, to lower the risk of death expectancy and to live a healthy life.

FM100/PNGHealthNews
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