The Tabubil community commemorated World AIDS Day on Monday 2^nd December to the 2019 theme; Communities make a difference.

Speaking at the event Dr Charlie Turharus, Ok Tedi Mining Limited’s (OTML) Superintendent Employee Health and Wellness and Medical Officer, said OTML is committed to supporting HIV and AIDS awareness in the community.

“HIV is preventable; we can stop HIV from spreading so we need to take ownership and responsibility,” Dr Turharus said.

Dr Turharus revealed that in 2019, there were 36 new cases of HIV in Tabubil.

“OTML would like the community to stay safe and stop this sickness from spreading. That’s why we need to work together as a community and increase awareness within our community and in our families,” he said.

Dr Turharus challenged parents and families to bring the HIV/AIDS awareness into their homes and have open discussions.

“The disease needs to be understood by our young people as well, so they too can get checked, know their HIV status and receive help,” he said.

Tabubil Hospital Administrator Ms Margareth Samei expressed thanks to Ok Tedi Mining Limited for making a commitment to provide logistics support to the National AIDS Council for the airlifting of condoms to Tabubil.

“We witnessed the first batch of condoms arrive in Tabubil, and now it’s our job to distribute those to the various registered locations,” Ms Samei said.

She also thanked contractor companies to OTML; TKI, and Hastings Deering for participating in the ongoing HIV/AIDS awareness.

Part of the World AIDS Day program included a float around the town, an information exhibition, screening of a HIV/AIDS drama, and voluntary counselling and testing which was open to the public.

The World AIDS Day event was organised by the Tabubil Hospital at the Tabubil Town Centre.