South Sudan’s National Chairperson for the HIV/AIDS Commission has called on the government to increase funding for HIV programmes across the country, following the withdrawal of support by the US administration under President Donald Trump.
Dr. Esterina Novelo Nyilok made the appeal during a two-day dialogue with parliamentarians on policy and law reform, as well as domestic resource mobilization for HIV response. The event, held in Eastern Equatoria State on Thursday, aimed to engage state legislative assembly members in addressing the HIV epidemic.
According to the commission, insufficient progress in HIV prevention in South Sudan is due to four key gaps: weak political leadership, inadequate financing, policy shortcomings, and a lack of large-scale programme implementation.
The dialogue sought to equip parliamentarians with information on the current HIV epidemic to promote evidence-based and rights-focused responses.
Dr. Nyilok highlighted that HIV remains one of the top 10 causes of disease burden in South Sudan, contributing to high mortality and morbidity rates. She attributed the worsening situation to the fragile public health system, an ongoing humanitarian crisis, poverty, and socioeconomic challenges exacerbated by political instability and global economic recession.
“Currently, we lack a specific policy to ensure sustainable funding for the national AIDS response,” Dr. Nyilok said. “According to the National AIDS Spending Assessment, 91.7% of HIV funding comes from external donors, while the government contributes just 8.3%, primarily covering health workers’ salaries.”
She urged the government to take urgent action by prioritizing testing, treatment, and care, as well as removing discriminatory laws and structural barriers that hinder access to services.
“The current National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS (2024-2026) is a roadmap to end the epidemic by 2030,” Dr. Nyilok explained. “To implement the strategy, USD 358,960,850 would be required. The prevention program is estimated to cost USD 162,590,971, representing 45% of the total NSP resource needs. It is time for the government to take responsibility, diversify funding sources, and direct resources towards high-impact interventions.”
Peter Garang, Executive Director of the Network of AIDS and Health Service Organizations in South Sudan, emphasized the role of parliamentarians in driving policy reform and addressing legal barriers to HIV services.
“This symposium aims to help parliamentarians understand their role in the HIV response and equip them with the knowledge to advocate for reforms that improve access to prevention, treatment, and care,” he said.
Charles Udwar Okech, Speaker of the Eastern Equatoria State Parliament, pledged his commitment to supporting the fight against HIV.
“As leaders, we must champion policies that curb the spread of HIV, eliminate stigma, and support those affected,” he said. “We must promote testing, education, and access to healthcare services across our state. HIV is not just a health issue—it is a development issue that impacts our families, workforce, and future.”