Lakes State Marks World AIDS Day

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Thousands of people in Lakes State gathered to celebrate the World AIDS Day in Rumbek freedom square today. The celebration was attended by the entire government officials, various primary and secondary schools and organized forces.

Thousands of people in Lakes State gathered to celebrate the World AIDS Day in Rumbek freedom square today. The celebration was attended by the entire government officials, various primary and secondary schools and organized forces.

Speaking during the occasion, Rumbek Central County Commissioner Mr. Matur Majok Magol said that the war between Khartoum and South Sudan is over but the war against HIV and AIDS war inside South Sudan is not over. He called upon the youth and community to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Rumbek.

“I urge you to fight against HIV and AIDS like we did with the offensive Khartoum regime – since HIV has killed a large number of our people here in South Sudan”.

The Lakes State Chairperson of HIV and AIDS Commission Mr. Paul Thok Ayok said that awareness campaigns have reached remote areas but the infection rate is still increasing. He urged the young people to be brilliant in combating the scourge across Lakes State Counties.

Meanwhile Lakes State acting Governor Mr. Marik Nanga Marik said that community leaders and all organized forces leaders should take lead in fighting against HIV and AIDS in the society. He disclosed that polygamy is a real problem in Lakes State catalysing  the spread of the HIV and AIDS.

Marik added ,“if interventions are not taken – HIV/AIDS can damage to our community because of polygamy – I know some chiefs who have more than 30 wives –   so HIV is a real danger and we have to talk about this.”

According to the message of the United Nations Secretary General on World AIDS Day, Ban Ki-moon, ‘This year in June, the United Nations General Assembly’s High-level of meeting on AIDS adopted bold targets for the 2015; reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by half, eliminate new discriminations, and close the AIDS funding gap’. This message was read by UNMISS Representative Mr. Gilbert Nantsa in Rumbek freedom square.

Access to HIV prevention services are helping young people, sex workers and their clients, drug addicts, homosexuals, and the transgender to take control of their health.

This is the first time the Lakes State is celebrating the World AIDS Day in Rumbek since South Sudan became independent and the fourth time since the signing of the CPA.