By Tamara Pia Agavi – EMTV News Cadet Journalist
World AIDS Day was commemorated yesterday at the Rita Flynn courts in Port Moresby.
A number of government departments and NGO’s marked the day with dancing, speeches and awareness.
This year marks 30 years since World AIDS Day was first commemorated on December 1st, 1988.
However, for this year, the organizing committee for World AIDS Day in PNG postponed the celebrations to yesterday.
Port Moresby residents marched from Anglicare Stop AIDS at Waigani, to the Rita Flynn netball courts.
Speaking at the commemoration were representatives from the Health Department, Department For Community Development and Religion, NAC, Australia High Commission, and a representative from Igat Hope, and Persons Living with AIDS.
These programs, funded by the Australian government would help a lot of PLWA’s in Papua New Guinea with testing and getting treated.
Acting Councillor for the Australian High Commission, Simon Roz said that Australia funded 113 clinics in all provinces, and were able to help over 6 and a half thousand people.
Dr. Nick Dala, Director of the National AIDS Council Secretariat mentioned that HIV AIDS is not a standalone issue, but one that comes with issues relating to illiteracy and poverty.
