HIV/AIDS infections rising fast at PNG, Indonesia border

HIV infection is on the fast rise in the West Sepik province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Jayapura in Indonesia's West Papua province, reported The National, a local newspaper, on Thursday.

Reports said in the remote Lumi district alone more than five public servants had died this year after contracting AIDS and it is believed there may be more unidentified cases in other districts.

People in the West Sepik and Western provinces were exposed because of frequent travels and exchanges with Papua province, which also has a high incidence of HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia .

Christian Brethren Church lay missionary and provincial AIDS trainer Wassam, who had been conducting awareness on HIV/AIDS for the last two years in most parts of West including Drekikir district in East Sepik, said sex products including pornographic materials were contributing to the spread.

Wassam warned that failure by the community leaders and police to rein in such behavior would lead to more HIV/AIDS-related deaths.

Wassam is stepping up his HIV/AIDS awareness campaign and is visiting Magleri village, in the Telefomin district next week.

His last stop was at Angugunak village in Lumi, where he trained more than 30 participants, who will now work with East Sepik provincial AIDS council as volunteers.

Source: Xinhua