In 1997, the Papua New Guinea Parliament enacted the National AIDS Council 1997 and Amendment Act2007 and it established the National AIDS Council. The National AIDS Council is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of HIV and AIDS programs (activities) in the country. The Council is a multi-sectoral body with diverse representative membership from sectoral agencies/organizations. As the governing body for coordinating the HIV response in the country, the Council convenes quarterly to provide leadership and strategic direction to the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS).
Following the establishment of the National AIDS Council in 1997, the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) was established in 2000. NACS is mandated to facilitate the main coordination roles and functions of the National AIDS Council, as stipulated in the Act of 1997 and amended in 2007. The National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) implements various programs which include Monitoring and Evaluation and Research, Advocacy and Social Mobilization and Policy and Planning.
The National AIDS Council and the National Department of Health fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health & HIV/AIDS.
The Papua New Guinea Parliament through the passing of the National AIDS Council Act 1997 established the National AIDS Council. The National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) was established in 2000. NACS is mandated to facilitate the main coordination roles and functions of the National AIDS Council, as stipulated in the Act of 1997 and amended in 2007. The National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) implements various programs which includes Monitoring, Evaluation and Research, Advocacy and Social Mobilization and Policy and Planning.
“We exist to end the HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea”
The National AIDS Council Secretariat subscribes to this mission statement as it is the organizations reason for existence.
“We will reduce the prevalence of HIV & STI’s to less than 0.5% and eliminate HIV transmission in “mother-to-child” by 2030”
This is in line with PNG Vision 2050, to “reduce HIV and AIDS prevalence from 1.28% of the population aged 15 – 49 to 0.1%” by 2050 (PNG Vision 2050 1.17.3.1). This supports the goals of the MTDP III, Sustainable Development Goals, the National Health Plan 2010 -2020; the Alotau Accord.1 & 2, and the National Population Policy.
These are the core values of the National AIDS Council Secretariat and form the DNA by which all decisions, actions and behavior will be guided.
• Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of integrity in all of our actions.
We are committed to making sure that everyone we interact with are treated fairly and with transparency, dignity and respect.
• Loyalty
We are good citizens in the communities in which we live and work. We value professionalism and genuinely care for all people. We are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of all we come in contact with. We pride ourselves on being honest, trustworthy and loyal at all times.
• Teamwork
As a team, we strive to create a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. We value each other and support all efforts, working together, across boundaries to achieve results for the whole team.
We take personal accountability for delivering on team commitments.
• Innovation
We are performance driven, therefore we continuously challenge the status quo and set ambitious targets and goals for change and excellence.
We are prepared to take calculated risks with new tools and technology, as we believe that innovation is the power to our success, in reaching our people and impacting PNG for a better tomorrow.
The NAC and the National AIDS Council Secretariat is established under section 3 sub section 1 of the National AIDS Council Act (NAC Act), 1997.
Under the NAC Act the Objects of the Council (in accordance with the PNG Constitution and the Global Strategy on AIDS) are:
to take multi Sectoral approaches with a view to prevent, control and to eliminate transmission of HIV in PNG; and
to organize measures to minimize the personal, social and economic impact of HIV infection and the disease of AIDS; and
to ensure, as far as is possible, that personal privacy, dignity and integrity are maintained in the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in PNG
The PNG approach to responding to STI’s and HIV requires focused and concentrated effort on a number of fronts. In the health sector, we provide services and programs across a continuum of prevention, treatment, care and support (CoPTCS). This will involve regular HIV testing for people at risk, STI treatment and prevention outreach to support safer behaviours for people who test negative for STI and HIV treatment, TB prophylaxis (or treatment if living with TB) and HIV treatment care and support for PLHIV. This will be supported by attention to human rights, supportive laws and policies and attention to drivers of the STI and HIV epidemic, like discrimination, gender norms, violence, poverty and drug and alcohol use. This approach is summarized in the diagram below.
The National AIDS Council and the National AIDS Council Secretariat supports the renewed global commitment to work towards ending the AIDS epidemic. This includes a commitment to the HIV 90:90:90 targets: by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; by 2020, 90% of all people in PNG with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy by 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression
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