COMPREHENSIVE CONDOM PROGRAMING STRATEGY LAUNCHED IN RESPONSE TO HIV CRISIS

By Lethisa KOLOKOL

THE National Department of Health spearheaded by the National Aids Council Secretariat launched a new strategy “Comprehensive Condom Programming (CCP) Strategy 2022-2031, a response mechanism to the HIV national crisis.

The CCP Strategy 2022-2031, a first of its kind in PNG was made possible with the continued support of development partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from its sister agencies and other development partners and Civil Society Organisations.

On June 26, 2025, Health Minister, Elias Kapavore declared HIV as a national crisis in Papua New Guinea.
This declaration came in response to a significant resurgence of HIV cases, with new infections doubling since 2010, triggered by alarming data revealing an estimated 30 new infections per day.

In his remarks, the NACS Acting Director, Mr Victor Aisa said the new strategy is a tool that can be successfully implemented through connected interventions from the national to the provincial levels to ensure the accessibility of condoms.

“This is to ensure that that condoms and to other related commodities are made available for every individual to use with priority set on the sexually active population (15-24 age), in both urban and rural communities” Mr Aisa said.

Rena Dona, Officer in Charge (OIC), UNFPA said the UNFPA is please to collaborate with the Government of Papua New Guinea to deliver the CCP strategy 2021-2031, the first of its kind for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region as well.

“After reviewing the CCP strategy, our condom programming technical focal point, our UNFPA commended that this strategy is one of a well designed CCP strategies in the world” she said.

The official launch of the CCP Strategy 2022-2031, along with the comprehensive condom programming situation analysis 2010-2021 was facilitated by Dr. Nano Gideon, NDoH Manager, HIV and STI Program, on behalf of the Health Minster Elias Kapavore, who unfortunately was not present.

The guiding framework to help alleviate the spread of the deadly diseases is already available, the implantation phase is now with the relevant authorities to do community awareness and for individuals to make the right choices.