By Jackson Gaaniko Mathew
The AIDS Commission in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State has issued an urgent call for increased confidentiality and intensified efforts to combat HIV in Yambio.
The Acting Chairperson of the Commission has stressed the importance of healthcare workers, journalists, civil society, faith-based organizations, youth, and women’s groups in tackling the epidemic .
Hon. Monica Andrea called on all actors to beef up efforts to ensure the privacy of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is upheld.
Monica highlighted that some parts of western Equatoria state have the highest HIV prevalence rates in the state.
She adds however that, stigma and lapses in taking antiretroviral (ARV) medications remain critical challenges in counties such as Ibba, Maridi, Mundri West, and Mvolo.
“We must collectively address stigma to encourage people to seek treatment and support,” she urged.
Monica is calling on organizations from Juba to support HIV programs in WES, provided their interventions align with the Commission’s guidelines.
“We are ready to work with any organization willing to help, as long as their approach is appropriate and effective,” she added.
Mr. Alexander Godfrey, Senior Program Officer for HIV/AIDS Prevention and State Supervisor for the Communities, Rights, and Gender (CRG) Assessment, shared alarming data.
He reported that the HIV prevalence rate in WES increased from 9.6% in 2022 to 11.5% in 2024.
Godfrey also disclosed that stigma remains a significant barrier, especially in Ezo County, where the prevalence has reached 14%.
Echoing the call for action, Hon. Santino David Samba, also from the WES HIV/AIDS Commission, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the government and its partners.
“Our aim is to reduce new HIV cases to zero by 2030, but achieving this requires stronger collaboration, sufficient funding, and a commitment from all stakeholders,” he stated. He further noted the cross-border challenges as many people from neighboring Congo seek HIV services in South Sudan, adding to the state’s statistics.
Hon. Ditta Zacharia, a trained professional in HIV programs in Yambio, shared her message with the public, the community, and PLHIV.
She urged those affected to remain committed to their treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“If you have HIV, take your medication and take care of your health. Don’t stop your treatment. And those infected should not spread the virus to others,” she warned.
Her final message to partners emphasized the importance of raising awareness to stop finger-pointing, which, she said, causes trauma and may lead to further illness.
“My message to partners is to focus on awareness to stop finger-pointing, as it can cause trauma and isolation, leading to additional health problems,” she concluded.
The commission’s statements followed a week-long evaluation of the HIV situation in WES, conducted with affected groups and key stakeholders to measure progress and identify challenges in addressing HIV in the region.
