PORT MORESBY, 26 June, 2025—New data reveal alarming rise in cases, particularly among women and children, with mother-to-child transmission rates critically high.

Papua New Guinea is experiencing a sharp resurgence in HIV, with the estimated number of new infections doubling since 2010. Recent data indicate that approximately 30 new HIV infections occur each day, amounting to an estimated 11,000 new cases in 2024 alone.

Worryingly, nearly half of these new cases are among children and young people aged 24 and below. This trend underscores the epidemic’s deepening impact on the next generation. It highlights the urgent need for scaled-up investments in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, particularly for children, mothers, and adolescents.

Of particular concern is the continued high rate of mother-to-child transmission. In 2024, an estimated 2,700 infants were newly infected with HIV—equivalent to seven babies per day. Most of these transmissions occurred because mothers were unaware of their HIV status. As a result, they did not receive the necessary antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy or breastfeeding which could have effectively prevented HIV transmission to their babies.

This major gap in maternal health highlights the urgent need to increase antenatal care uptake and expand HIV testing, counselling, and treatment for all pregnant women across Papua New Guinea.

“The rise in new HIV infections in PNG is deeply concerning. As such, I am declaring this a National HIV Crisis,” said the Minister for Health, Hon. Elias Kapavore. “HIV is a disease of inequality. We need to support and empower those most impacted. It is time for all of us to step-up. I personally commit to raising this issue with my fellow ministers and parliamentarians and ensuring the urgent allocation of resources to protect our people–especially the next generation of Papua New Guineans. “

Echoing the Minister’s remarks, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health, Mr. Ken Wai, stated: “We must scale-up access to HIV testing and treatment, particularly for groups most at risk. These priority initiatives should be offered at health facilities nationwide, and will require community leadership and support.”

Dr. Sevil Huseynova, WHO Country Representative in Papua New Guinea, added: “We must strengthen our health systems to ensure universal access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services, especially for pregnant women and young people. This is a test of our collective commitment to health for all. WHO stands firmly with the Government of Papua New Guinea to scale up integrated, person-centered care that leaves no one behind.”

UNAIDS Country Director, Manoela Manova strongly backed the statements made by the Health Minister and Acting Secretary, placing particular emphasis on the importance of ending stigma.

“This is a shared public health crisis that demands shared responsibility,” she said. “Everyone has a role to play in dismantling harmful myths, stigma, and discrimination associated with HIV. These attitudes undermine prevention, testing and treatment efforts, and hold us back from ending HIV as a public health threat in Papua New Guinea.”

UN Resident Coordinator in PNG Richard Howard reinforced the collective urgency of the moment: “The United Nations stands in full solidarity with the Government of Papua New Guinea in confronting this national HIV crisis. We cannot afford to lose another generation to HIV. The time to act decisively – through coordinated leadership, strategic investment, and community-driven solutions – is now.”

Adding the voice of the community, Mr. Lesley Bola, Executive Director of the Key Population Advocacy Consortium (KPAC), stated: “Behind every statistic is a real person—someone’s child, friend, partner. We cannot end this crisis without meaningfully engaging the people most affected: key populations, women, youth. Community-led action is not optional—it is essential. We urge government, donors, and all partners to support scaled-up, human rights-based, community-driven HIV responses. The future of Papua New Guinea hinges on bold, urgent action, now.

This declaration will trigger activation of a national HIVCrisis Response Plan, enhance coordination across all sectors, and prioritise investments in HIV services at every level.

Every life matters. Get tested. Know your status. Protect yourself and those you love. HIV testing is free and available nationwide.

For questions on HIV prevention, testing sites, and treatment, please contact the National Response Centre for HIV at 7309 6477 of the PNG Key Population Advocacy Consortium (KPAC).

CONTACT:

Dr. Nano Gideon, Manager, HIV and STI Program, National Department of Health nanogideon@gmail.com

Mrs. Manoela Manova, UNAIDS Country Director Papua New Guinea manovam@unaids.org |