South Sudan commemorates World AIDS Day

December 1, 2010 (BOR & BENTIU) – South Sudan celebrated World AIDs day on Wednesday encouraging people to get tested for the sexually transmitted virus. Sudan has an estimated HIV/AIDs prevalence of 1.6% according to the UN although in South Sudan it is estimated to be higher.

World AIDS Day, which was started 1988 aims to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. The theme for 2010 is ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’. In Southern Sudan, the sub-theme is “Get Tested for HIV. Stay Alive.”

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs (UNAIDS) 33.3 million people live with HIV, including 2.5 million children. UNAIDS estimates that in 2009 some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS.

This year Southern Sudan HIV/AIDs commission (SSAC) selected Bor town to host national World Aids Day in the autonomous region.

The president of government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, did not attend the celebrations in Bor but his speech was read by Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk.

Around 180 people are known to be living with HIV/AIDs in Bor town after a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center was established. In other counties in Jonglei state, which do not have VCT units estimating HIV/AIDs prevalence is more difficult, according to the South Sudan Aids Directorate.

Last year, the number of people tested and found HIV/Aids positive was only below fifty. This year, the number struck 188.

“Since October 2009 to October this year, the number of people tested HIV/AIDs positive is 188,” said Rodenta Ayen Arop, Jonglei state minister for health.

The director of SSAC in Jonglei state, Christine Maureen Onyango, attributed the increase of AIDs cases to lack of awareness and what she called “limited resources” that impede comprehensive awareness in Jonglei state.

South Sudan officials say ignorance among the population and a high illiteracy rate are some factors in the increase of HIV/AIDs in the semi-autonomous region that emerged from a devastating war in 2005.

Under pressure from claims by officials that some hotels are giving rooms to foreign and local prostitutes Governor Kuol directed security agents to close “disorganized” hotels and lodges, which were believed to being used as brothels.

A number of organized forces including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), Joint Integrated Units (JIU) and police as well as prison guards, the fire brigade, Church goers and school children marched from Lang-bar junction to Bor towns Freedom Square to mark the occasion.

In Unity state Dr. Wicgoah Pieny Gual state director for HIV/AIDs said, recent voluntary in 2009 and 2010 had shown that 140 HIV/AIDs positive people in Bentiu and Leers counties.

Gual said added there is a need to increase awareness of HIV/AIDs and methods of prevention.

The state HIV/AIDs director told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that, “they carry out voluntarily test of 26 people during the day celebration, and found all negatives”.

Unity State deputy governor, William Dawut Riak, welcomed the awareness campaign and the support of international NGO’s to the Ministry of Health in the state.

(ST)