(1 December 2010 – Juba)—The Southern Sudan Aids Commission (SSAC) is increasing delivery of services to those affected by HIV and Aids. The Commission has recently appointed a new Chairperson, Dr Esterina Novello Nyilok, who hopes that more people will take advantage of free HIV testing and treatment programs in the lead-up to World Aids Day on December 1st.
Current infection rates across Southern Sudan are hard to predict due to the difficulty of producing accurate data, however the Ministry of Health estimates that HIV affects approximately 3% of the adult population. Dr Nyilok insists, “anything above 1% has to be taken seriously.” She acknowledges the “excellent relationship” between the SSAC and their donors and partners. “The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the major resource,” along with key partners such as the Multi-Donor Trust Fund, UNICEF, UNFPA and others.
The SSAC was formed in 2006 with the mandate to ensure that “HIV and AIDS transmission is minimised and its impact on families and individuals is reduced,” says the Chairperson. “Our role in the Commission is to recommend strategies to control the spread of the disease.” The SSAC is tasked with mobilising communities to respond to HIV and managing HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment within Southern Sudan.
Dr Nyilok puts the number of HIV-positive people living in Southern Sudan at around 300,000. “Only three thousand people are currently accessing treatment,” she says. Delivery of treatment is complicated by poor road infrastructure, constraints in the management of treatment sites, and the challenges in transporting medication, often requiring planes to reach remote destinations. “After twenty-one years of war, most of our infrastructure has been destroyed and accessibility to health infrastructure is very low,” says Dr Nyilok. “You have only twenty-five percent of the population accessing health services.” However, there is good news in terms of the recent arrival of Anti-Retro Viral medication to treat HIV-positive people free of charge, as well as awareness campaigns aimed at the public.
The Southern Sudan Aids Commission remains committed to ensuring a better life for those who are HIV positive. “Our theme for World Aids Day is universal access to treatment and care,” says Dr Nyilok. “Human rights for people living with HIV is fundamental. If they are threatened or discriminated against, it will further the spread of HIV. These people should be protected.”
Since 2004, UNDP has administered the Global Fund’s Tuberculosis, HIV and combined TB/HIV grants on behalf of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS). So far resources of close to forty-five million US dollars have been spent on HIV prevention, care and treatment (combined drug therapies), treatment of opportunistic infections, and institutional and capacity development of the Ministry of Health at GoSS, State and health care facility (County) levels.
“UNDP will continue to support the Government of South Sudan as principal recipient for the Global Fund in the coming years, as we work with other UN agencies to strengthen government structures in Southern Sudan,’ said Joe Feeney, Head of UNDP in Southern Sudan.