The Governor of Eastern Equatoria state has called for open talks about HIV AIDS, declaration of status and an end to stigmatizing people affected and infected with the disease.
Louis Lobong Lojore said speaking loudly and openly about the prevalence of HIV AIDS helps reduce the spread of the deadly pandemic in South Sudan, Radio Emmanuel reported.
The message of the state governor was contained in a speech read by the state health minister, Felix Makuja, during the commemoration World AIDS Day, yesterday at Freedom Square in Torit.
According to the governor, it was time to start talking about HIV AIDS to children at homes and schools, to the army in the barracks, to civil servants in the offices, and in social gatherings to many other people ignorant about the dangers of the virus.
Mr. Lobong discouraged some negative cultural attitudes that support the spread of AIDS and called for a change of attitude and immoral behaviour.
He urged to community to use available preventive tools to protect their lives that are so precious.
The governor encouraged people to take blood tests to know their HIV status without fear and shame.
Mr. Lobong called on the development partners, churches, civil society organizations to join the government in fighting against HIV AIDS and bring hope and a bright future for the young generations, the orphans and to end new infections.