Returnees and foreigners coming into South Sudan are exposing its population to HIV AIDS pandemic.
The alert came from Achol Ayom, deputy chairperson of the Anti-AIDS Commission, during an interview with CRN News.
She said at least 300 thousand people are currently carrying the HIV virus in South Sudan adding that the number is likely to grow due to the arrival of returnees and foreigners in the region.
She added that the war protected South Sudan from AIDS but if the new state is not able to win the battle against the virus, the independence gains will be put at risk.
Dr. Achol advised that people should stick to the ABC of AIDS that stands for abstinence of sex before marriage, being faithful to one’s spouse or use a condom if one cannot do without sex.
She called upon communities to refrain from discriminating people living with HIV noting that the virus is not transmitted through associating with them.
Dr. Achol said the government is working towards a zero new infections and zero discrimination adding that this dream cannot be achieved if the community does not join hands to fight the virus together.