A woman who lives positively with HIV AIDS gave a public testimony after 22 years of surviving with the virus.
56-year old Lalia Agartha, from Nimule, told Emmanuel Radio that she has lived all this time due to her openness to the public about her status.A mother of six, she told her children about her HIV status right from the time she tested positive and they have been helpful in assisting her.
Mama Lalia said the community has been cooperative and her openness helped other families to bring their relatives who are HIV positive to her for counselling.
She said it is good for people to declare their HIV status and the community should not discriminate.
Mama Lalia added that hiding one’s status is like digging one’s grave.
She urged the public to desist from stigmatizing people living with HIV AIDS including their children who are innocent and as healthy as other kids.
Mama Lalia gave her testimony at the end of a three-day workshop in Torit organized by the South Sudan AIDS Commission in conjunction with its state counterparts, for community leaders on HIV AIDS awareness.