The State Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS and TB Commission in Jonglei State, Ajak Mach, has urged the public to take preventive measures against HIV/AIDS, advising young people to “suspect everyone to be HIV/AIDS positive until tested before engaging in sexual intercourse.”

This warning comes as the state celebrates a remarkable decline in HIV infection rates, dropping from 1.3% to 0.4%, which Ajak attributes to improved access to healthcare and the reopening of health facilities previously closed due to conflict and flooding.

Speaking about the ongoing efforts to combat the disease, Ajak emphasized the importance of abstinence, regular testing, and support for those living with HIV. He called for the public to view HIV as a manageable condition, similar to other diseases, and to avoid stigmatizing individuals who are positive.

“We have an external sanitarium studying HIV/AIDS cases in areas such as Panrial, Akobo, Bor State Hospital, Pochalla, Twic East, and Duk Lost Boys Hospital. The data collection and analysis take around four months, and samples are forwarded to Juba for verification,” Ajak explained.

He further noted that the reopening of these health units has been instrumental in reducing HIV infections by allowing more people to access testing and treatment services.

Globally, the World Health Organization reports that since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, 88.4 million people have been infected, and 42.3 million have died of the disease.

This milestone in Jonglei State reflects the progress that can be achieved through sustained awareness campaigns, accessible healthcare, and community support for those affected by HIV/AIDS.