Some of Australia’s closest neighbours in the Pacific are facing the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics.
In Fiji, an official outbreak of HIV was declared after cases tripled from 2023 to 2024.
Papua New Guinea has also declared cases have doubled since 2010 – with an estimated 30 people acquiring the virus each day in 2024.
Currently, all donations go directly to our Supporting Triple Elimination in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste (STEPT) project. In collaboration with local health services and government, the STEPT project aims to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B by building capacity of local health workers.
Potential HIV and syphilis infections in babies prevented in one year
Of newborns in Timor-Leste STEPT clinics given hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours
Of women who test positive for syphilis in Timor-Leste STEPT clinics are receiving treatment
The STEPT project has contributed to an increase of 123% in HIV testing of pregnant women at Formosa Clinic in Dili.
Since the beginning of the STEPT project, syphilis treatment during pregnancy rose from 43% of pregnant women who tested positive for syphilis, receiving any treatment to 100% receiving full, adequate care — ensuring no woman is left untreated
…after being a part of this project I now know that we can reduce the chance of HIV being transmitted during the pregnancy, during delivery and during breastfeeding. And now we can hope to completely stop transmission of HIV to the baby.
STEPT training helped increase timely Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination from 92% to 99%, protecting nearly every newborn from vertical transmission.
ASHM works closely with partners in the Pacific through our global division.
We support them by upskilling health workers in the latest on HIV and other STIs and blood-borne viruses, improving data and systems and supporting development of policies and guidelines.
Your donation helps ASHM strengthen health systems and train health workers across Asia and the Pacific.
ASHM is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). All donations to ASHM are tax-deductible, and go directly towards our global programs.
Frequently asked questions about the project
A DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) organisation is recognised by the government as eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. This means that when you donate to ASHM, you may be eligible to claim a tax deduction for your gift.
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