At least 12 people living with HIV/AIDS have died in South Sudan’s Wau state from May until July, a local official has said.

Karmela Arkangelo, Head of the Sabreen Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Wau, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that many of the members in the association refused to continue treatment by taking the Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs since May saying they don’t have enough food.

Arkangelo pointed out that many of their members are now living in the UN Protection of Civilians’ site (PoC) in Wau, where their health is deteriorating.

She added that more than five severe cases of people living with HIV/AIDS are admitted at Wau Teaching Hospital daily for failing to take ARVs.

Arkangelo appealed to the World Food Program (WFP) to resume the provision of food ration that had been suspended due to insecurity in the area to provide their members with the much needed food for their treatment.