HIV deaths are increasing in Ezo County of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state from 40 to 50 cases despite the distribution of drugs for patients with HIV amid conflict in the area.
In a statement to Radio Tamazuj Wednesday, Commissioner of Ezo County Luciano Bakinde said that the health situation in the county is deteriorating due to fighting in the area which has affected health services.
He said the incidents of last year led to the evacuation of NGOs working in the health sector due to insecurity, adding that Ezo hospital is lacking mattresses and medical equipment because SPLA members stole them. Now, many children including pregnant women and children sleep on the ground at the hospital.
Luciano added that NGOs working in the health sector and government have distributed drugs for HIV patients who returned to the area following their displacement to neighboring DRC, but it was not enough.
He added that those who are still in the refugee camps are living in dire conditions and some of them are dying due to lack of drugs.
Additionally, the commissioner revealed that about 2,000 people have returned to the area from the bushes but have no food because the SPLA burned aroun 100 houses, destroying stockpiles of food.
The commissioner called on the NGOs to intervene to rescue the citizens who are in dire condition.