World AIDS Day celebrated in South Sudan

30 Nov 2012

World AIDS Day celebrated in South Sudan

30 November 2012 - South Sudan will join the world on 1 December to commemorate World AIDS Day, which aims to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

"The day gives us a chance to reflect on those who have lost their lives to HIV," said Dr. Michael Munywoki, head of the UNMISS HIV and AIDS unit.

"It is also an opportunity to spread awareness about the pandemic and to encourage progress in the prevention of HIV and AIDS and to provide care, support and treatment to those in need," he added.

Between 2011 and 2015, World AIDS Day has the theme "Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths". According to UNAIDS, the World AIDS campaign focus on "Zero AIDS-related deaths" means pushing towards greater access to treatment for all and a call on governments to act now.

This year, UNMISS HIV and AIDS unit organized several activities to raise awareness, including sports tournaments, drama, live testimonies and a candlelight vigil in the run up to World AIDS Day. The government, through the South Sudan AIDS Commission (SSAC) held sensitization workshops for the legislative assembly, community leaders, uniform service and students, as well as testing campaigns in all 10 states.

The government's main commemoration event will be held in the Eastern Equatoria state capital Torit on 1 December. Several government officials are expected to attend the day-long activities, which will include a procession, performances by local artists, sports and a mobile cinema. In Juba, residents will march to Dr. John Garang Memorial, where speeches by various dignitaries will be made.

Speaking at SSAC headquarters in Juba today, Commission Chairperson Dr. Esterino Novello said the fight against HIV and AIDS in the country had only just begun. She added that different factors in the new nation could result in the current prevalence rate of 3 per cent shooting up.

"Since South Sudan attained peace (and) we have had an influx of different categories of people coming into the country," said Dr. Novello. "That, coupled with continued stigma and ignorance, could mean that the number of infections may go up. We know from our studies that about 47% of our population, especially youth, is prone to contract the virus if measures are not taken."

She revealed that only about 280,000 people had participated in voluntary counseling and testing out of a population of 8,260,000 citizens.

"This is a very small number and we have to keep on our toes," Dr. Novello said.

"It's not easy. Resource mobilization has been difficult as the (international) funding programmes closed and the austerity budget has not made our work any easier."

But despite challenges, the government had made some progress in the fight against HIV /AIDS, Dr. Novello said.

"In 2006, we had only three treatment sites and now we have about 30," she said.

"There were only a few centres for counseling and testing, but there are about 120 functionary ones. It is progress, but it is not enough and we still require support."

Dr. Munywoki said UNMISS was working with the government and UNAIDS in outreach to the public in three priority areas.

"We are aiming to ensure that HIV and AIDS are integrated in programming for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), sexual and gender-based violence and in security sector reforms," he said.