World AIDS Day Sheds Light on Struggles for South Sudan's HIV Community 

Lole Laila Lole, the executive director of the South Sudan Network of People Living with HIV, said the primary hurdle is the lack of viable means to earn a living.

"The current economic crisis has inflicted more harm on people living with HIV and TB. It is deepening and worsening the economic livelihood status, leading to hunger, starvation, and an inability to afford treatment, resulting in fatalities and increased HIV/AIDS transmission due to individuals avoiding healthcare while grappling with hunger," said Lole.

In addition to economic struggles, orphans of those who succumbed to AIDS face educational setbacks due to insufficient funds for school fees and financial support.

Lole says his organization is advocating for a national HIV response focusing on eradicating stigma, discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence prevalent in South Sudan.

An HIV-positive Juba resident, speaking anonymously to avoid stigma, revealed that individuals with HIV encounter discrimination at workplaces, often facing dismissal upon disclosing their status. The resident highlighted South Sudan's fragile health sector, which they said had limited trained personnel and organizational capacity, leading to subpar services for people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS statistics for 2022, South Sudan has 160,000 people living with HIV, with 150,000 adults and 15,000 children aged 14 and under. The data also indicates a 1.9% HIV prevalence among individuals aged 15 to 49.

Ader Machar Ader, the undersecretary in South Sudan’s health ministry, acknowledged the country's limited funds hampering its ability to support the HIV response. Ader said in South Sudan, "HIV remains a major public health issue, with a prevalence of 1.9, and regional variations in infection rates."

The 2023 World AIDS Day, themed "Let Community Lead," prompted Lole to urge South Sudan's government to empower individuals living with HIV to lead programs supporting those affected.

Hussein Abdulbagi, South Sudan’s vice president, at Juba's World AIDS Day commemorations, commended the unity of the South Sudan Network of People Living with HIV advocating against discrimination.

"The fight against stigma will enable HIV patients to access healthcare comfortably. It is our moral responsibility to embrace positive individuals, encourage them to live freely, and motivate communities to establish their HIV status," Abdulbagi said.

South Sudan's Health Ministry statistics indicate a positive trend, with the percentage of people aware of their HIV status rising from 35% in 2021 to 40% in 2022.

The ministry also reports an increase in the percentage of people receiving antiretroviral treatment from 27% in 2021 to 33% in 2022.