(L-R) Hadlee Supsup, Rebecca Gabong, Ellen Kavang, Anne Sawa, Geraldine Wambo, Sakaia Luana.

This highly successful project, managed by Burnet’s Kopoko office in East New Britain and funded by AusAID, worked with communities to improve gender sensitive engagement in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

It also aimed to improve the capacity of the local health sector to prevent and treat STIs, and improve coordination of STI service delivery in East New Britain Province.

Burnet’s Papua New Guinea Project Director, Andrea Fischer said there were many positive outcomes achieved by the project.

“It changed lives through a heightened awareness of sexual health, increased access to testing and treatment for STIs and the improved quality of clinics across the province,” she said.

The project achieved reported shifts in religious and cultural beliefs and values relating to sexual health issues, and individual behavior change such as seeking health care, using condoms and reducing the number of sex partners.

Special thanks is extended to those who ensured the success of the project, including Centre for International Health staff members Andrea Fischer, Lisa Natoli, Lisa Davidson, Lyn Harper and Kate Michelly, and the tireless efforts of the teams both in Kokopo and Port Moresby, especially volunteers, Stephanie and Geoff and his wife, Simone.

Burnet would also like to thank AusAID, and project partners - the International Women’s Development Agency, Barefoot Community Services and Cairns Sexual Health Service.

Burnet will remain actively involved in East New Britain following the signing of a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with the Provincial Administration outlining a partnership for the next five years.

From early 2013 the Burnet Kopoko office will become the headquarters of the Home-Based Malaria Management Activity, which is funded by the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria.