Asian Development Bank Partners With Private Operators To Improve HIV/AIDS Services in Papua New Guinea
The Asian Development Bank's HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Rural Development Enclaves Project has partnered with two private companies in Papua New Guinea to improve HIV/AIDS treatment, primary health care and prevention facilities in the country, ADB announced Tuesday, Xinhua/People's Daily reports (Xinhua/People's Daily, 8/14). According to ADB's Papua New Guinea Country Director Steven van der Tak, the companies are Ramu Sugar and Highlands Kainantu. Higaturu Oil Palms, Oil Search and Porgera Joint Venture already are involved in the project, according to van der Tak (ABD release, 8/14).
ADB's prevention and control program focuses on rural communities located near development enclaves that are considered to be high-risk for the spread of HIV, including plantations, mines and fishing companies. The program aims to strengthen government leadership and the implementation of strategies to contain the spread of HIV among rural populations, Xinhua/People's Daily reports (Xinhua/People's Daily, 8/14).
According to an ABD release, the program will be funded by a $15 million grant from the Asian Development Fund and $3 million from the Papua New Guinea government. The project is estimated to cost about $25 million. The Australian and New Zealand governments also are providing $3.5 million each for the enclaves project.
According to the release, the program also will fund a nationwide social marketing campaign to promote condom use. The campaign will include theatrical events, cartoons, mobile video units, clothing with slogans and print media advertising (ADB release, 8/14).