Australia is continuing its support for HIV testing and treatment initiatives in Papua New Guinea through the ACTUP-PNG program.
Led by the Kirby Institute and PNG Institute of Medical Research, ACTUP-PNG has successfully established clinic-based point-of-care HIV viral load monitoring, early infant HIV diagnosis, and HIV drug resistance surveillance at Port Moresby General Hospital and Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital. Papua New Guinea has the highest burden of HIV in the Pacific region, and HIV drug resistance has proven problematic for those currently on or about to commence HIV treatment.
ACTUP-PNG has helped to build laboratory capacity to test for viral load and has established drug resistance surveillance to inform treatment outcomes and HIV programming. ACTUP-PNG has also developed health literacy material for healthcare workers in supporting clients with treatment adherence. Through Australia’s recommitment to the program, ACTUP-PNG is poised to support PNG to advance the triple elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. This includes the diagnosis, care, and treatment of mothers with HIV and syphilis, and their children, as well as increasing birth dose vaccination of children to prevent hepatitis B. Together, these strategies are improving health outcomes and reducing the transmission of infections in PNG.
