St. Therese urban clinic reopens with improved HIV and health services

Port Moresby residents and especially those within Hohola, can now be able to access improved health services, including that of HIV/AIDs - following the refurbishment of the St. Therese Urban Clinic.

The Catholic Church run clinic, established in 1971, was refurbished through the PNG Australia partnership at a value of about 270 thousand kina and was officially reopened on Monday.

Health Deputy Secretary Compliance and Standards Dr Dora Lenturut, who officiated at the re-opening alongside Australian Assistant Minister for Pacific Affairs Nita Green, thanked the Australian Government for this support. 

Australian Assistant Minister for Pacific Affairs Nita Green says Australia stands committed to supporting PNG addressing the HIV crisis: 

The refurbishment has been applauded. 

Health Manager Catholic Archdiocese of Port Moresby Sr Geraldine Arua says the funding support and refurbishment enable services to the people, especially those living with HIV/AIDS: 

The refurbishment is part of Australia's additional support of about AUS$1.5 million or about K4.1 million to the Catholic Church Health Services, towards the national HIV crisis declared mid-year. 

This support includes similar work undertaken at St. Paul's Clinic in Gerehu, Veifa'a in Kairuku, Central Province and five new vehicles. 

In 2023, 6700 people tested positive to the virus, estimated to be 18 people per day while last year, there were 11-thousand cases, meaning 30 new cases were detected in a day.