14 July 2012- To create a network of experts and assist South Sudan in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS, UNMISS and UNICEF concluded a 16-day training in the Jonglei State capital of Bor.

Diing Akol, State Minister for Local Government, urged the 34 participants from the state government, organized forces, civil society and non-governmental organizations to exercise behavioural change and take a firm stand against the pandemic.

"The state government is committed and we are working on state health policy, where we will require everybody to play a proactive role in the prevention of the disease," Minister Akol said.

Christine Maureen Onyango, State Director of the South Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission, urged participants to share their newfound knowledge and skills with the grassroots.

Training topics included introduction to Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT), ethics of counselling, HIV/AIDS prevention, HIV testing, guidelines on antiretroviral therapy, family planning and effects of HIV on the body.

"With the advent of HIV, time has come to revisit some of our cultural practices that may fuel the spread of HIV," Michael Munywoki, UNMISS HIV/AIDS Policy Advisor, said. "I challenge the graduates of today's training workshop to help in reversing the HIV trends in the New Republic of South Sudan."

The government, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS and UNMISS had integrated HIV/AIDS prevention programme packages into the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process and security sector reform, Mr. Munyowki added.

Participant Ker Jek Jock said they were ready to put theory into practice. "We are ready to provide prevention, care and support services to both HIV and AIDS negative and positive persons in confidence."

UNMISS HIV/AIDS Unit in Bor plans to support the state Ministry of Health VCCT in Jonglei State.