South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok
The Chairperson of the Lakes State HIV/AIDS Commission, Priscilla Arop Malieny, has called for an end to discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS in the State.
She made this call on Tuesday during celebration to mark World AIDS Day in Rumbek town.
Arop appealed to the government and partners of the State ministry of health to provide access to antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV who are unable to access treatment.
She noted that the improved security environment in Lakes State should interest donors to extend support services to the population living with HIV in the State.
A total of 3008 persons are HIV positive while 2,817 of these are on HIV treatment and 191 refused to enroll on treatment.
Nelson Makoi Makur, State Minister for General Education and Instruction called on the population to attend routine testing for HIV/AIDS, abstinence, and to be faithful and to always use condom during sexual intercourse as the most effective preventive measures against the spread of HIV/AIDS in the State.
He also urged donors to support the State government in implementing the preventive A,B,C strategy against HIV.
Christopher Muchiri Murenga, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Lakes State, called on leaders in the State ensure the most vulnerable people access services without fear of stigma.
“We will overcome HIV/AIDS if the rights of everyone everywhere are protected,” said Murenga.
Murenga urged the public to end stigmatization of people living with HIV, saying it is a death sentence and yet positive people can live longer if they are on treatment.
For his part, Dhelbeny Makuer Gol, Head of Rumbek Town Court cautioned the public on the risk of contracting HIV in saloons and cultural ceremonies of marking faces.