5 June 2014 - The rate of HIV infections in Morobo County had significantly increased this year compared to last year, a health official in the Central Equatoria State county said today.

“One in every 15 samples taken on a daily basis is found positive with HIV,” said Morobo Health Care Centre Clinical Officer Simon Evans Moro.

He explained that at least six in every 100 people tested had already contracted the virus, which was far higher than statistics recorded a few years ago when only one out of every 100 people tested was found with the infection.

“We have confirmed 10 cases at Morobo Primary Health Care Centre in May alone,” said Mr. Moro.

He added that the number could rise much higher, if Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) services were not prioritized.

“HIV tests should be initiated and spread throughout all the units of the health centre to ensure an all-inclusive testing service,” he said.

According to Mr. Moro, the major challenge derailing VCCT services was the local population’s attitude toward the disease.

“People in the county now regard HIV/AIDs as an old game that has no significance,” he said.

Mr. Moro noted that another challenge at the centre was lack of medical personnel and anti-retroviral drugs for patients who need them.

There had been no Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) available since the start of May for instance, increasing the risk of contracting the virus, he said.

PEP is anti-HIV preventive medical treatment that is administered as soon as possible to people who may have been exposed to HIV, like a rape victim or a baby born to an HIV-positive mother.

“There is a (very small) chance that HIV-infected mothers can safely give birth without post exposure risks,” said
Mary Ajio Sebit, a midwife at the facility, who revealed that she attends to at least 30 pregnant women daily, including those who are HIV-positive.

Ms. Sebit said the challenge was worsened by lack of transport, making it difficult to refer cases of new births to alternative facilities within the 72 hours the treatment would be effective for.

UNMISS HIV/AIDS Officer Agnes Draru said the mission in the state was planning to train 50 peer helpers soon to support the only two counselors serving at the facility.