This story is as horrifying as it is tragic. Papua New Guinea, an island state north of Australia, is in the grips of a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, with at least 2% of the population thought to be infected. The number of new cases has risen by 30% per annum. Relatives of AIDS sufferers are reportedly burying the victims alive, when they can no longer look after them, or are afraid to become infected themselves. This was apparently witnessed by a health worker. Sexual violence is widespread in PNG, and one of the main transmission routes for the HIV virus is sexual intercourse.
There is widespread ignorance of the disease in outlying districts, and some believe it is the result of witchcraft. There is little formal education on HIV in remoter areas, and no training for those that help.
More here: another contents warning is in order.
Dear God....what is the world coming too?
ReplyDeleteBurying their own family member alive??? Someone needs to educate these people straight away. Education is the only way; then backup with contraceptives.
For goodness sake...these people need help!
I will pray that something can be done for these poor folk. This is so unbelievable!
Jeanie
How awful. I hope people from the World Health Organization can get there & start some education for this country. Linda in Washington state
ReplyDeleteSince AIDS can only be trasmitted thru one means, it's a horror to realize people still don't know HIV-1 is a pandemic. Many island rituals involve human blood as an ingredient, it'll take a great change in cultural attitudes to stop this. CATHY
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/