PNG gears up for elections

20 Jun 2012, 4:59 pm   -   Source: Kathy NovaK, SBS
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Papua New Guineans are gearing up for elections this weekend, but there are fears the election itself will spread HIV/AIDS.

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Papua New Guineans are gearing up for elections this weekend, and for many voters, access to housing, transport and health care remain major challenges. There are also concerns the election itself will spread more disease.

Despite a growing economy, almost a fifth of the population is extremely poor.

Youth worker John Mutrus says politicians have been promising change for decades, but not delivering.

“We don't have much hope here. We need education. We need change. Unemployment is everywhere.”

It's a complaint repeated around the city's disadvantaged suburbs. During this campaign period, candidates move from village to village, handing out gifts and making promises, in the hope of gaining support.

Among the most important issues for people living in poorer settlements is access to basic services, including clean water, housing and health care.

The water that is available is a breeding ground for diseases such as cholera, putting extra strain on an already overstretched health system.

“Right now in the hospital we have problems with supplies and essential drugs that we need. So that’s one of the areas that the government should try and also address,” says Dr David Mokela, a medical services director at Port Moresby General Hospital.

The country is still suffering from an HIV/AIDS epidemic and as people travel around the country, consuming alcohol, and often using prostitutes, there are concerns the election itself will spread the disease.

“You have people who have access to more money whether they're election officials with allowances or whether people are getting money from candidates and so on,” said AusAID’s Stuart Schaefer.

AusAID officials are taking the opportunity to increase awareness, handing out posters and condoms during the election period.

But that fight to end the epidemic here will go on, long after the ballots are cast and counted.

WATCH the report via YouTube:

PNG , Papua New Guinea Politics , Papua New Guinea , PNG Elections , HIV , AIDS , HIV/AIDS

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