Promises and Tensions: Clinic-Based HIV Viral Load Testing and Infant Diagnosis in Papua New Guinea

Medical Anthropology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Sujith Kumar Prankumar, Ruthy Boli‐Neo, Janet Gare, Helen Keno, Selina Silim, Simon Pekon, Melissa Schulz, Paulus Ripa, Nano Gideon, Andrew John Vallely, Steven G. Badman, Kelly-Hanku Angela
DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2026.2617653
Cited by: 0
References: 37

Abstract

Using a sociomaterial perspective based on interviews with health workers, we examine how clinic-based HIV viral load testing and early infant diagnosis technologies reshape health care realities in Papua New Guinea. The use of such technologies redefine professional roles and health care experiences by empowering health workers to translate biomedical data into client-centered clinical management, while also contributing systemic tensions, such as the paradoxical recentralizing of care and heavier workloads. Despite these challenges, health workers view these clinic-based technologies as transformative tools that support ethical decision-making, reduce preventable deaths and expand equitable health care.

Fields of Study & Subjects

HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions Reproductive Health and Technologies Health Policy Implementation Science

Publication details

Journal / source
Medical Anthropology
Volume
45
Issue
1
Pages
4–18
Publication date
2 January 2026
Language
EN