Amid the vibrant display of culture at the Bilum Basket Festival, both private and public sector organizations set up stalls to showcase their services and engage with the public.
One of which was the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority STI/HIV team, who took the initiative to offer free HIV testing and counselling sessions to festivalgoers.
Their presence couldn’t have come at a better time.
Teenagers in East Sepik Province are now the most affected age group when it comes to HIV infections, according to a health official on ground.
The concerning trend has been linked to a lack of awareness and a decline in voluntary counselling participation among young people.
Julie Wanfi, a Community Health Worker and ART Prescriber at Wasaie Clinic, confirmed that the clinic is currently managing over 800 HIV-positive cases, many of whom are adolescents and youth.
“We register them and look after them. Right now, we have over 800 people living with HIV.”
“These cases are not just from this year; they accumulate as people come in and test positive over time.”
Among these, teenagers make up the largest group, a trend Wangi attributes primarily to limited knowledge and education around HIV prevention.
She explained that the most affected group is teenagers with the main cause being the lack of awareness.
Wanfi also expressed concern over the declining number of young people accessing voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services, despite their availability at clinics like Wasaie.
“They used to come in voluntarily, especially after testing positive, however, now we are seeing fewer youths taking that step.”
She emphasized the need for targeted education efforts and urged young people to be proactive about their health.
“To the youths: protect yourselves. Get tested, ask questions, and know your status. You have the power to stop the spread.”
As HIV continues to impact communities across East Sepik Province, health workers like Julie Wangi are calling for stronger awareness campaigns, youth-focused outreach, and continued investment in accessible treatment and support services.
