2 November - In a continuing effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, UNMISS concluded a 10-day training on the pandemic for counselors today in Bor, Jonglei State.

The exercise was organized and conducted by the UNMISS HIV/AIDS Unit in close collaboration with Jonglei State Ministry of Health.

Some 38 participants from South Sudan's organized forces (military, police, prisons and wildlife), the HIV/AIDS Commission, State Ministry of Health and civil society attended the course.

Topics included Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT); prevention and safe sex; culture, religion and HIV&AIDS; Development of an Action Plan for Peer Education; effects of stigma and discrimination in spreading the disease; and basic information on condoms.

In closing remarks, Dr. Kwai Deng Kwai called on participants to apply the knowledge they had acquired during the training and urged them to assist his ministry in its efforts to contain the disease.

A similar 16-day training was conducted in Bor by the UNMISS HIV/AIDS Unit in July.