W. Equatoria Governor: stop the HIV/AIDS workshops, build centres
May 19, 2011 (KAMPALA) – The governor of Western Equatoria state (WES) visited four health centres for HIV/AIDS sufferers in Yambio county on 17 May, assuring them that they remain members of the community.
Addressing the patients, Bakosoro stressed that HIV is “like malaria and people should not get discouraged if they are HIV positive but accept that they could still have a long life […] There is a man in Kenya who has lived with AIDS for about 27 years and he is still alive to date, therefore following the precautions and regulations of the counsellors will help positive people last longer”.
Bakosoro stressed that it is better to “be open and sincere about the disease than hide in darkness,” urging the various groups of the people living with HIV to “continue sensitizing and educating the rest.”
The governor cautioned the patients to refrain from the excessive consumption of alcohol as it may lead to an early death.
“You should do a little exercises, and eat good foods, mostly greens, but not too much red meat, because it has too much oil,” he advised.
The governor also called upon the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with HIV to focus on tangible priorities of the people living with HIV instead of conducting workshops.
Bakosoro suggested the various bodies dealing with HIV/AIDS activities to “stop the unnecessary conduct of workshops for the patients who already know they are HIV positive but build centres and give support.”
Rather than spending money on workshops Baksoro suggested it is spent helping “the patients in accessing good food, clean water and building halls for their daily activities.”
The state minister of health, Stephen Ali Kumoyangi, acknowledged the courage of the HIV/AIDS sufferers.
Kumoyangi praised the people of the state for their positive attitude towards sufferers of the disease.
He pointed out that the challenge facing the ministry is a lack of funds for running HIV programs as the ministry focuses mainly on mother to child transmission in the state hospital.
Some of the centres toured by the governor include, Union Struggle Against HIV/AIDS and Poverty (USAHP), Star Support group, Naagbanga AIDS Care and Support Association (NACASA) and Zereda Information Center (ZAIC) in Yambio County.
The state director of the South Sudan AIDS commission in WES, Jane Pia expressed appreciation for the governor’s efforts.
She said the major role of the commission is to “advocate and educate the people about the disease.”
The chairperson of USAHP, Justin Badia stated that most HIV patients are discriminated against, not allowing them proper accesses to treatment in the hospitals.
In addition, the chairperson of NACASA, Bullen Yotoma expressed his gratitude to the state governor for visiting them saying “this is the first of its kind.”
Yotoma explained that the main challenge facing the group is that the stock of drugs given to HIV/AIDS sufferers, Septrim and ARVs, is severely depleted.
Over 7,600 people are with HIV/AIDS in the state according to reports from State AIDS Commission.
(ST)