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Insecurity, ignorance push up South Sudan HIV infections

Xinhua, December 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Sudan registered at least 13,000 new HIV infections this year, a growth pushed up by insecurity and low public awareness, the South Sudan AIDS Commission said Thursday.

Habib Daffalla Awongo, Director of Programme Coordination at the commission, said 180,000 people in the country are estimated to be living with HIV, majority of whom are aged between 15 and 24.

The prevalence rates are higher in southern and western parts of South Sudan, he said.

Awongo said insecurity, lack of resources and low levels of awareness across the country have contributed to the increase.

"We need to do a lot of awareness on the issues of stigma and discrimination and also advocate for health rights of every citizen. I want to urge everyone to stand up and ensure that we reduce the number of new infections," he said.

Evelyn Letio, Chairperson of the Network of people Living with HIV/Aids in South Sudan, said gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination and lack of proper health services for infected persons in the conflict-hit country have contributed to the rise in new infections.

She said 500 members of her group acquired the virus after being raped and left without medical care.

"Because of the crisis, many of the people are not taking treatment correctly and at the right time because they don't have food. And if they take the medicine without food, it causes problems in their bodies. So we appeal for help from our partners," she added. Endit