At least 35 people living with HIV/AIDS in Yambio town have died since June after refusing to take Antiretroviral Drugs, saying they did not have enough food, a local health official said.

Mary John Osman, Chairperson of the National Empowerment for Positive Women United (NEPWU), told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the health situation of people with HIV/AIDS is deteriorating due to the current economic crisis across the country.

John said at least 3-4 people are admitted daily at the Yambio Civil Hospital due to deteriorated health conditions after they refuse to take their medication.

She pointed out that NEPWU, a local organisation supporting people living with HIV/AIDS in the Western Equatoria region, is trying its best but called on the government and international aid organisations to come in and assist by providing food aid to encourage the sick take their medication.

In May this year, at least 12 people living with HIV/AIDS died in Wau after stopping medication saying they had no food to sustain them.