The A, B, C strategy is the most effective way to combat rising HIV infections

South Sudan’s government should not hesitate to promote the Abstinence, Condom and Be faithful strategy in combating the rising HIV infections in the country.

The Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, revealed that there has been decline in HIV infections, from 11,000 in 2022 to 8,100 in 2023 but this should call for complacency since some of the States with prevalence rates such as Western Equatoria State and Lakes State infections are driven due to ignorance.

This calls for upping public awareness campaigns to promote the A, B,C strategy with no qualms attached.

There is no shame in doing this even though some religious groups tend to oppose the promotion of condom use. This strategy of condom use is the most effective among the three.

Parents and civil society including the political leadership have a vital role to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

It has been noted that 72,538 people living with HIV out of 140,000 infected people are accessing ARVs. This needs to change if we are to prevent new infections.

The government and partners should work collectively to improve access to ARVs so that those previously unable to access them can get them.