The South Sudan HIV & AIDS Commission (SSAC) has urged individuals living with HIV to seek medical treatment, as part of efforts to combat stigma and discrimination surrounding the virus.
The call was made during a two-day training workshop in Kuajok, the capital of Warrap State, which concluded on Wednesday.
The workshop, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together 31 participants from across Warrap State’s six counties, as well as representatives from Kuajok Hospital. The training aimed to equip attendees with knowledge on HIV prevention, treatment, and mitigation strategies.
Deng Malek, Chairperson of Warrap State’s HIV & AIDS Commission, praised the SSAC for bringing the initiative to the state. He emphasized that the involvement of various government institutions would help accelerate efforts to spread awareness about HIV prevention and encourage those living with the virus to access medical care.
Malek also called on both national and state governments to provide further support to the commission’s efforts to educate the public about the risks of HIV & AIDS.
Olives Ugila, SSAC’s Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, highlighted the persistent barriers faced by communities in addressing HIV & AIDS, particularly stigma and discrimination. She explained that these challenges often prevent individuals from seeking healthcare services.
“We have trained civil society organizations, including youth, women, community leaders, and members of the organized forces, on HIV prevention, treatment, and mitigation,” Ugila said. “This training is designed to reduce new infections by addressing barriers such as stigma and discrimination, which hinder access to healthcare for those living with HIV & AIDS.”
Ugila stressed that HIV & AIDS is a cross-cutting issue requiring collective action to achieve zero new infections. She noted that fear of stigma and discrimination often deters people from consulting healthcare professionals.
Nyandit Agau, one of the workshop participants, said she gained valuable insights into effective communication with patients. She urged the state government to support healthcare workers in disseminating information about HIV at the grassroots level.
Sergeant Peter Madut, a Warrap State police investigator, said the training helped him better understand the root causes of stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV. He pledged to support efforts to encourage individuals with the virus to seek treatment and live without fear of social exclusion.
The workshop underscores ongoing efforts to tackle HIV & AIDS in South Sudan, where stigma remains a significant barrier to healthcare access. The SSAC and its partners continue to advocate for a collaborative approach to reduce infections and improve the quality of life for those affected by the virus.