Papua New Guinea's National AIDS Council says five years of budget cuts have caused the number of HIV infections to creep up again.
In 2013, the rate fell to 0-point-65 percent after a decade-long awareness and antiretroviral campaign.
But now, the Council Secretariat's Tony Lupiwa says the rate has crept up to 0-point-9 percent after years of limited funding.
While the rate is still significantly lower than in the epidemic of the late 1990s and early 2000s - where thousands died - the trend is worrying Mr Lupiwa.
He told Jamie Tahana another nationwide HIV/AIDS awareness campaign was sorely needed, as well as a new plan for better procurement of antiretroviral drugs.
Oil Search-sponsored HIV AIDS awareness message in Papua New Guinea's Highlands. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
