Manus Province urged to let communities lead in HIV/AIDS response
Residents in Manus Province have been urged not to stigmatize and discriminate people from seeking testing and life-saving medication for HIV/AIDS
Provincial health and government officials emphasized on this during the World Aids Day observed this week.
The officials present emphasized that dismantling stigma and discrimination within local communities is the critical next step in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Manus Province joined the rest of the country in observing World AIDS Day under the provincial theme, “Let Communities Lead
Representing the Manus Provincial Government, Chairman of Provincial Health and President of the Rapatona Local-Level Government, Len Tentem, asserted that “Communities are the heartbeat of the response” to the epidemic.
He stated that communities are a powerful tool to lead in the effort to discourage stigma and encourage testing and treatment without fear or judgment.
"This statistics represent a person, a loved one and a friend, let us be reminded that behind every number there is a story, a life impacted by this disease." He said.
"We must show compassion by creating a safe space for our community people so they can feel safe to get tested and get treatment without fear and judgement," president Tentem said.
According to Officer-in-Charge [OIC] of the HIV and STI Clinic, Daniel Mundri, the first case of HIV was recorded in the province in 2007. Since then, a total of 41,930 individuals has been tested out of an estimated population of 69,560 people.
Mundri stressed that the remaining population who have not been tested are still at risk and should come forward to determine their status.
"Total positive in Manus alone, including all the districts, we have 593, who have come forward for testing, this does not include all their partners, we have to help people in our communities, so they feel free to come for testing," Mundri confirmed.
Mundri also noted a concerningly low number of new cases reported this year, with only five new diagnoses.
This has raised questions among health professionals as to whether the figure reflects active adherence to medication among those infected, or if it simply indicates that fewer people are coming forward for testing due to fear and shame.
The Manus PHA encouraged individuals to seek testing and treatment, reminding them that while health workers can conduct awareness for years, the necessary change in mindset must start within the community.