A youth organization in Jonglei State on Friday launched a year-long campaign to fight against HIV/AIDS among the young people through art and drama.
The program was launched by Kreative Nile Family in Bor town.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, the organization’s executive director, David Dhieu said the campaign seeks to sensitize youth in the Greater Bor area on HIV/AIDs through theatre, films and drama.
“We are targeting youth and even the elderly in areas of Kolnyang, Makuach, Anyidi, Jalle, Baidit and the nearby cattle camps. We will educate them on the dangers of the disease, the driving factors and their roles in the prevention of the disease,” Dhieu explained.
The crusade, Dhieu said, involves visits to schools, residential areas and cattle camps with 1,500 youth who will be passing messages. “This program will run for one year,” he said.
Dhieu urged the locals, government and other youth entities to join the drive, saying war against HIV/AIDS is a collective responsibility.
Rachel Nyichiek, the head of Jonglei women association, blamed the rise in HIV cases in the state on the country’s economic hardship.
She appealed to South Sudanese politicians to restore peace in the country in order to control the spread of the disease.
On his part, the director of HIV and Tuberculosis prevention at the state health ministry, Ajak Mach admitted that there is an increase in HIV cases due to the conflict.
The health official said the HIV prevalence rate in the Greater Jonglei area was 1.3% as of 2012. He, however, said the ministry is yet to get data on prevalence rates from a 2017 survey done in Jonglei.
Most of the AIDS cases globally are in poorer countries, where access to testing, prevention and treatment is limited. South Sudan has limited published data on HIV prevalence.