Papua new Guinea Faces Escalating HIV Crisis Amid Funding Shortfalls
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Papua New Guinea is grappling with a rapidly escalating HIV epidemic, declared a “national crisis” in June, compounded by notable cuts in international funding and a decline in public awareness. The situation is particularly dire for women and children,with new infections doubling as 2010 and an estimated 2,700 infants born with HIV since 2010.
The story of Nancy Karipa, who tested positive for HIV in 1999 shortly after giving birth to her first child. “It was a crossroads moment for me,with the fear of denial,but I chose action,” Karipa,now in her 50s,shared at an AIDS awareness event in Port Moresby this past December. Both Karipa and her child received treatment, and her child remains healthy – a testament to the power of intervention. Though, Karipa’s willingness to share her story is unusual in a nation where stigma surrounding HIV remains exceptionally high.
The epidemic in PNG is among the fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside Fiji and the Philippines, according to UNAids, the UN agency dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS globally.Currently, it is indeed estimated that only 59% of people living with the virus in PNG are aware of their status. The transmission of the virus from mother to child is alarmingly high, ranking among the highest globally.
Funding Cuts Cripple Response efforts
The escalating crisis is being exacerbated by significant reductions in financial support.Changes to funding for HIV support and prevention have hit PNG hard, particularly following the suspension of US foreign aid by the Trump management earlier this year. This action impacted hundreds of clinics across the country. Simultaneously,broader global reductions in funding for UNAids are raising concerns among health providers.
“A lot of people do not know their status and that’s the first step to addressing the epidemic [and] to be put on treatment,” explained Manoela Manova, UNAids country director for PNG. A senior official noted that HIV awareness has declined over time, creating a risky perception “that the epidemic does not exist” – a sentiment prevalent among both the public and political leaders.
Aid Freeze Impacts Clinics and Community Outreach
The impact of the US aid freeze is acutely felt at the local level. Kaugere Clinic in Port Moresby, which provides HIV and other health services, experienced salary withholdings when funding was suspended. “There was no second plan given to us and we were told to close down the clinic, which had affected the communities,” said Rose Marai, a social worker at the clinic.Marai’s community awareness program budget was slashed from K1,000 (US$235) per day to K240 monthly, forcing her to shift focus to voluntary counseling for those already diagnosed.
According to the chair of the national Aids council, Wep Kanawi, more than 200 government-run and church-operated clinics providing HIV services have lost funding. Kanawi estimates that approximately K45-K50m (US$10m) annually is needed to effectively address the epidemic,and many centers are now “scaling down on their operations.” While the US government, through a statement, affirmed its “commitment to our partnership with Papua New Guinea,” the immediate effects of the funding cuts are undeniable.
Australia Steps In, But Long-Term Concerns Remain
The situation has been partially mitigated by increased funding from Australia, which pledged almost A$10m (approximately US$6.6 million) in additional HIV development funding in October. manova stated that this support will help maintain the UNAids office in PNG for another two years.
However, concerns are rising that the epidemic underscores the fragility of PNG’s health sector and its heavy reliance on foreign aid. Foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko acknowledged the need for a “fallback position,” stating, “The longterm strategy is doing it ourselves. we can’t continually rely on other donor partners to help us.” The country recorded an estimated 11,000 new HIV cases in 2024, with nearly half of all new infections occurring among children and young people under the age of 25.
