Updates from the Secretariat

November 2024, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province

Report and Resolution of 2nd HIV Summit for Heads of Churches in PNG 2024

The two days Summit Report is completed, and it contains all key information on the summit proceedings in line with the official summit program. The Summit Resolution is also completed and contains all important resolutions made at the summit which are in line with the official summit program proceedings. The write up of the Summit Report and the Summit Resolution is very concise for everyone to understand.

Annual Work Plan 2025 - Operations & Programs

The Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2025 for PNGCLAHA consists of an AWP for Operations and an AWP for Programs.

The AWP for Programs 2025 captures all the key actions/activities which the summit agreed and made resolutions on such as:

1. 1. The Urgent Call to the Government of PNG to allocate timely resources to recognized Church NGO's facing budget cuts in their operations and programs in the face of rising daily HIV infection in PNG,

   2.  Raising Awareness on the importance of HIV Testing & Treatment by Christian Church Leaders through their existing church infrastructure and networks at national, congregational and community level,

   3.  Action Planning of PNGCLAHA Work,

   4. Resource Mobilization through short-term, medium-term and long-term partnerships to support PNGCLAHA member churches,

   5. Conducting training and workshops for Christian Leaders and Church Health Workers to promote Justice, Equality, Dignity and Human Rights, provision of compassionate stigma free care, creation of safe spaces and advocate for accountability and Human Rights.

   6.  Reviewing of PNGCLAHA Constitution and Governance Safeguards to ensure the organization is fit for purpose.

   7.  Integration of Strategic Priority Areas & Activities for FBO's under National STI & HIV Strategy 2024-2028.

The AWP for Operations 2025 captures all the necessary needs and requirements of operating PNGCLAHA Office at a level it is expected of. PNGCLAHA is expected to perform a leading role as the coordinating arm of Churches implementing HIV programs in PNG. Key items on the AWP for Operations are the retiring of old staff and volunteers and engage in proper recruitment of new National Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and new Volunteers, who will be oriented, sensitized and trained so that they can have the capacity and the technical know-how in managing and leading PNGCLAHA Office effectively.

Meetings to Process the Summit Report, Summit Resolution and the Annual Work Plan for Programs & Operations.

There will be a Board Executive meeting on the 6th of March 2025 to process the above documents after that the Summit Report, Summit Resolution and Annual Work Plan 2025 will be cross-checked by the PNGCLAHA Task Team followed by the 1st PNGCLAHA Board Meeting which will be held towards end of March 2025. The confirmed date for PNGCLAHA 1st Board Meeting in March 2025 will be made known to all board members before the end of this week.

Publication of 2nd HIV Summit for Heads of Churches Summit Story for Public Information

Stories of the 2nd HIV Summit for Heads of Churches in PNG held in Goroka on 5th and 6th of November 2024 will be published in "The Weekender" section of both The National and Post Courier Newspaper free of charge. Story will cover purpose of PNGCLAHA and its role and make up, purpose of the summit and key outcomes, urgent actions and its working relationships with the Government, National Department of Health, National Aids Council Secretariat, United Nations including other partners.

The final copies of the Summit Report and Resolutions, Summit Financial Report and Annual Work Plans will be shared with you all two weeks before the board meeting in March 2025. Once the Report, Resolutions and Annual Work Plans 2025 are approved by the board implementation of activities will commence. 

Mr. Andrew Hama

Technical Support Personnel to PNGCLAHA