BY GEORGINA MICHAEL
The Australian government has funded the refurbishment of St Therese HIV Clinic in Port Moresby, which was officially reopened yesterday.
The K270,000 refurbishment is the first for the HIV clinic in Hohola, which was established by the Catholic Church in 1971 to provide general health services.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by the Australian Assistant Minister for Pacific Affairs, Senator Nita Green and Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ewen McDonald. Guest speakers included Catholic Church Health Services manager Sr Geraldine Arua and Deputy Health Secretary Dr Dora Leuturut Katall.
Senator Green said: “Today, I am so honored to reopen the sanctuary’s HIV clinic after its refurbishment, the first refurbishment since it opened nearly 50 years ago.
“Australia’s increased support for HIV services will focus on prevention efforts, increasing awareness about HIV particularly compared to child transmissions, increasing HIV testing, improving surveillance systems and supporting expanded access to methods of prevention, recognizing the vulnerability of young people particularly youth supported education and outreach programs to promote safe behaviors and reduce new infections.”
Dr Katall said: “The Catholic Church is one of our longest and most committed partners in health. In fact, the St. Theresa HIV clinic has served the community for nearly 50 years.
“The Catholic Church Health Services was the first providers of HIV care in PNG and we reorganize their work in reaching out to the people with compassion and care to deliver HIV counseling, testing and treatment across all facilities.”
Dr. Katall urged the public to work together to help bring awareness of awareness of HIV to those who were in need, especially pregnant mothers.
Sr Arua said: “To have our clinic refurnished after more than 50 years it gives us a great joy. I appreciate the funding that came in from the Australian government as well. May this not be the last, it may continue, where we can stand on our feet as well but with your support to carry on the service we provide through care and prevention.”