Kokopo leads in HIV count

KOKOPO district in East New Britain has the highest number of people living with HIV-AIDS – 57 males and 80 females, according to Governor Ereman ToBaining.

Next is Gazelle with 20 males and 51 females, Rabaul district has 23 males and 24 females, and Pomio district with four males and eight females.

ToBaining told provincial administration officers and their families that the statistics were obtained from the testing and counselling centres.

To mark World AIDS Day in Kokopo yesterday, he said many people were yet to be tested.

ToBaining said statistics in ENB showed a growth in the number of HIV patients, because of the awareness conducted in the province. “I call on every person in this province to take responsibility in empowering each other through awareness,” he said.

ToBaining also urged the people to live a healthy life, as there were other diseases such as diabetes which were killers.

He said many people in the province were now having problems with their sugar levels and called on them to “eat healthy and live healthy”.

“Health is very important. We need to ensure we live right before we start talking about HIV/AIDS,” ToBaining said. He called on people to respect those with the virus and accept them in their communities.