This article was last updated on May 25, 2022
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The Union for Struggle Against HIV/AIDS and Poverty (USAHP) Coordinator in Ikpiro residential area, Mr. Justin Badia Aborokpuyo, disclosed that six females and four males from their association have died due to avoidance of drugs as they claimed to have been healed by a certain preacher.
Mr. Justin Badia Aborokpuyo added that on Friday, the executive committee of USAHP called for an immediate meeting to discuss the issue as it is growing among their union members.
He said that they agreed to involve all members to counsel their fellow colleagues who fail to continue with their treatment.
He called upon the people to return for their normal treatments and should not confuse prayers and medication.
He stated that those who go for these prayers withdraw from their association claiming to be healed from HIV and refuse to adhere to the counselling offered.
They report that their preachers instruct them to discontinue.
He further urged them to visit the hospital and confirm their status of HIV/AIDS through voluntary testing.
Mr. Badia blamed the state government for centralizing the care and support to HIV/AIDS commission and the State Ministry of Health.
He appealed to all ministries to take the issue of HIV/AIDS seriously and pay a visit to the groups of people living with HIV to support them verbally through counselling.
He stated that each government ministry has a role to play in its own field among the HIV/AIDS groups despite the austerity measures.
USAHP is an independent association of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ikpiro residential Area in Yambio.
The coordinator mentioned that they have registered 217 female and 17 male members and in their activities where they counsel during the home visits program on adherence to good treatment, re-infections, balanced diet and many more
Nurses at the Yambio State Hospital said they are worried about 500 HIV/AIDS patients who have refused to take medication after visiting the healing prayers at Nabagu Chapel in Yambio.
A female preacher in Nabagu known as Mary Deemaku claimed to be directed by Jesus Christ to heal the people.
In an Interview with the clinical officer in the department of HIV/AIDS, Ms Grace Samuel Eyuda reported that last week a patient refused to continue taking her drugs claiming that she got cured after attending the healing prayers in Nabagu Chapel.
“About 500 HIV patients who joined Nabagu Prayers finally stopped taking their drugs and resist them when they visit hospital,” said Ms Grace.
In March during a launch the Antenatal Clinic (ANC) surveillance report of 2012, the health ministry announced a reduction of 0.4% in HIV/AIDS prevalence in South Sudan.
The report shows the Greater Equatoria region with highest rates with Western, Eastern and Central Equatoria states at 6.8%, 3.4% and 2.6% respectively.
Jonglei State has a rate of 1.3%, Lakes 2.3%, Western Bar El Ghazal 1.4%, Warrap 1.3%, Unity 1.3%, Upper Nile 2.1% and Northern Bar El Ghazal with the lowest rate of 0.3%.
Consistence in manning the use of the ABC strategy (Abstinence, Be faithful and use Condom) need to be encouraged further though the report shows many South Sudanese are using it well.
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