In its first three months of implementation, the KPAC–CCHS community-led outreach program in Port Moresby has demonstrated strong early results, reaching large numbers of people with HIV prevention, testing, and referral services during a critical period for Papua New Guinea’s HIV response.
The program, led by Key Populations Advocacy Consortium PNG and funded by the Australian Government through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Catholic Church Health Services, commenced in July 2025 following the Government of Papua New Guinea’s declaration of HIV as a national crisis. The program focuses on peer-led, community-based outreach for key and affected populations in the National Capital District.
During September 2025 alone, KPAC reached 1,273 individuals with HIV prevention messages and distributed 6,187 male condoms through community outreach activities. Condom, lubricant, and IEC supplies were provided by the National AIDS Council Secretariat, although lubricant distribution was not possible during the month due to expired stock.
Community-based testing has been a major focus of the program. In September, KPAC conducted 1,135 HIV tests, with strong uptake across priority populations. Engagement was highest among female sex workers, with 689 people reached, followed by men who have sex with men, with 479 reached. Outreach and testing among transgender people continued to exceed expectations, with 105 people reached and 97 tested, demonstrating particularly strong engagement within this group.
Testing outcomes in September included 190 clients initiating PrEP and 25 people testing HIV positive. Of these, 21 were successfully linked to antiretroviral therapy, resulting in an 84 per cent linkage rate for the month. Four newly diagnosed individuals were not yet registered on ART and continue to be followed up by outreach teams.
Across the first three months of implementation, from July to September 2025, the program tested 2,092 people for HIV, achieving 70 per cent of its six-month testing target. A total of 238 people were initiated on PrEP, representing 47.6 per cent of the six-month target, while 2,664 people were reached through outreach activities. The overall HIV positivity rate after three months was 2.2 per cent, with 65 per cent of confirmed positive clients successfully linked to treatment.
Alongside these results, KPAC has been candid about early implementation challenges. These include hotspot identification, ART registration follow-up, IEC material tracking, and ongoing data management constraints. In response, KPAC has strengthened its monitoring systems, assigned dedicated staff to KoBo data entry, and introduced weekly monitoring tools through the KPAC Sunset Health Hub to improve data quality and reporting.
As the program continues, KPAC and Catholic Church Health Services will focus on consolidating systems, strengthening data quality, and sustaining outreach momentum. Early results confirm that community-led, peer-driven approaches can deliver rapid impact when adequately supported, even in a highly challenging operating environment.
