South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok
The Lakes state government on Friday called for spreading public awareness on HIV/AIDS during celebration to mark World AIDS Day in Rumbek town.
The minister for law enforcement agencies, Chol Kuotwel Manhom said that community awareness on HIV/AIDS should be conducted in churches, schools, and military barracks and cattle camps.
Manhom said they will work with partners in the health sector to facilitate public awareness.
Priscila Arop Malieny, Chairperson of HIV/AIDS Commission in Lakes state said that the fight against HIV/AIDS is being hampered by stigma, adding that disease can also spread through sharing of needles and syringes and nails cutters.
Stephen Odera, the Representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said that monitoring reports from community to health facilities will help to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Lakes state is among the states with the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS across South Sudan.
Some 4,263 people in Lakes have been confirmed positive. The viral load for the number reduced to 84 percent.
Susan Ajak Manyang, the representative of Plan International appealed to the population to always go for routine testing for HIV/AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea.
