“HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea is no longer a problem, but a crisis,” said Gad Koito, director of health ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea (PNG), quoting that nation’s minister for health. “And as a church, we have started very late,” Koito added.

His comments were part of a report from the commission on HIV/AIDS established by the Adventist Church in the South Pacific region, delivered at the church executive committee’s recent mid-year meeting.

There are 12,000 HIV/AIDS cases reported in Papua New Guinea, but estimates suggest the real figure is between 50,000 and 60,000. As elsewhere in the world, young people are most affected by this emerging epidemic.

Jonathan Duffy, director of Health Ministries for the church in the South Pacific region, echoed Koito’s concern. “It’s a huge issue. According to the World Health Organization, PNG has the fastest growing HIV/AIDS problem outside of Africa.

“And it’s not something just outside the church,” continued Duffy. “Studies conducted in some Pacific communities have found Adventist young people are among the most sexually active in the community. The spread of AIDS is the same inside the church as outside the church.”

The church in Papua New Guinea has established its own commission on HIV/AIDS. “We have also asked each local [church organization] to establish an HIV/AIDS committee,” Koito reported. “We are working to develop a strategic plan for the church to address AIDS in PNG.”

The commission’s report calls for action in each of the local church regions across the South Pacific. “This is a sensitive issue, particularly cross-culturally,” Duffy admitted. “But we must address this. We are planning to develop a Pacific summit on AIDS next year. The Adventist Church can take a lead role in this issue, raising awareness and developing strategies.”

“This is the top priority as a [church] health department,” Duffy said. “We aim to mobilize church entities and all church departments to address this issue. At the moment, the focus is on training church leaders to be confident in leading HIV/AIDS prevention programs, in working with people living with HIV/AIDS, and giving hope to those who are suffering from this epidemic.”

The commission has not limited its focus to PNG, recognizing the threat hangs over many nations of the South Pacific. “In parts of our region, rates of sexual activity are higher than in Africa, [but] the epidemic is just starting to emerge here,” said Duffy.

He reported that other factors also affect the rate of transmission. The economic downturn in some countries has, for example, led to an increase in the sex trade.

“The time for awareness is gone. By the time we reach a 3 percent infection rate, it is out of control—and [in PNG] we are very close to that now,” said Duffy.