S. Sudan health minister inaugurates the newly constructed Public Health Emergency Operation Center in Juba, saying AIDS, HIV infection rates are disturbing.

Elizabeth Achuei yesterday [Thursday] in Juba inaugurate the newly built Public Health Emergency Operation Center as well as the publication of unified guidelines on the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

At the event, the Minister of Health mentioned that HIV and AIDS have become a serious health issue in the nation after the infection rate more than doubled last year.

According to WHO projections for 2021, the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in South Sudan is predicted to be 2.1 percent, with more than 170,000 individuals presently living with the illness.

This is more than twice the World Bank’s prediction for 2020, which was 1%.

During the occasion, Minister Achuei said that the government must acquire the instruments needed to fulfill the world level of reaction to the issue.

“HIV and AIDS remain a severe public health hazard, with a projected prevalence of 2.1 percent in 2021 and 174,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in South Sudan,” says the UN.

“Currently, 35 percent of citizens in the nation are aware of their HIV status, 27 percent are getting ARVs, and 84 percent of those receiving ARVs have their virus suppressed.”

“It is critical to have the essential tools to guide our implementation and enhance the quality of health in order to achieve the global aim.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Partners released updated guidelines for the treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS in the nation during the opening of the newly built Public Health Emergency Operation Center in Juba.

Minister Achuei said that the new standards would provide the groundwork for a more aggressive response to the HIV epidemic.

“As we announce the revised national consolidated guidelines for HIV prevention and treatment, we reaffirm that South Sudan is in step with the rest of the world, embracing and implementing the latest World Health Organization recommendations,” the statement said.
“These new recommendations will provide the groundwork for all partners implementing HIV and AIDS to take a more proactive approach to responding to South Sudan’s HIV epidemic.”

According to William Rens, Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, the amended recommendations represent a shift to a new HIV treatment paradigm.

“The United States is happy to work with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization to modify national HIV treatment recommendations.” “This will help connect the developing symptoms of HIV therapy and medicines with the rising demands of HIV programs,” Rens added.

“Thanks to the United States and the Global Fund, South Sudan now has the finest and most successful treatment regimen available.”

“The updated recommendations reflect on this transition to a new treatment regimen, as well as the need of novel ways to scaling up HIV/AIDS care and conducting research with limited resources.”

According to William Rens, this will make services and treatments more accessible to those who need them the most.