PNG HIV AIDS

Papua New Guinea

July 2004. I had been alerted to the alarming wave of HIV/AIDS infections across Papua New Guinea by my friend Bob Howarth who was CEO of the Post-Courier newspaper. Some regional AIDS experts had said that PNG had lost control of the disease. I traveled there with Journalist John Wright and followed the story from the brothels and hospitals in Port Moresby to the marihuana plantations outside Mt. Hagan in the Highlands.


An 18 year old girl with AIDS outside her hut in the highlands of Papua-New Guinea.
An 18 year old girl with AIDS inside her hut in the highlands of Papua-New Guinea.
A truck driver with AIDS continues to work in Mt Hagan
Waiting for Death. Cathy Noah lies in Ward 4B, the HIV/AIDS ward, at Port Moresby Hospital
A woman who caught AIDS from her truck driver husband lies in Ward 4B at Port Moresby Hospital
Ward 4B in Port Moresby Hospital is a combined HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis ward
Ward 4B in Port Moresby Hospital
A mother and fathe watch over their daughter in Ward 4B
A father looks after his son in Ward 4B
A former A grade footballer lies in Ward 4B suffering from HIV/ AIDS
A wardsman takes a deceased AIDS victim to the Morgue at Port Moresby Hospital
The Morgue at Port Moresby Hospital is overwhelmed with AIDS victim
One of the few growth industries in PNG
Wardsmen prepare a coffin for burial at Port Moresby Hospital
A Haus Cry takes place for an AIDS victim in the Papua New Guinea Highlands
A Haus Cry takes place for an AIDS victim in the Papua New Guinea highlands
A Haus Cry takes place for a victim of HIV/AIDS in the highlands of Papua New Guinea
A funeral for an HIV AIDS victim in Port Moresby
A funeral for an HIV AIDS victim in Port Moresby
10 year old Hansel is being cared for by his father Tana. Hansel caught AIDS from his mother.