(November 20, 2013) - South Sudan’s AIDS Commission says at least 150, 000 people in the Country are living HIV/AIDS.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Aids Commission, Dr Achol Ayom, has reiterated the commitment of the institution to work towards a Zero HIV infection rate in the country.
The Deputy Chairperson stated that a lot has to be done in order to keep the HIV Prevalence low.
“Most of it is prevention because we are low now at 2.6, if we prevent then we will remain in 2.6 .There is no new infection that will come in and so when this people end up dying is not just because of HIV they will die because of other causes and this will take us to zero,” she said
However, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr Medhin Tsehaiu, said South Sudan has never had a population based HIV survey, so the infection rates could be higher than the official figures
“It could be much higher for that matter because South Sudan is surrounded by countries with higher HIV prevalence, And as we Know there are a lot of movements in and out .We have also returnees, displace People and so many other factors that could really cause the spread of HIV,” she said.
She added that a lot of awareness needs to be raised especially among young people.
