Lakes state, S.Sudan, marks World Aids ArticleComments (0). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 1, 2011 (RUMBEK) - Thousands of people in Lakes state gathered to mark the World HIV/Aids Day in Rumbek freedom square on Thursday. Fireworks burst behind the Sydney Opera House that is bathed in red light with a figure of two hands in Sydney, Australia as part of a global campaign to create an AIDS-free generation by 2015 (AFP)Attendees included government officials, ministers, lawmakers, judiciary members and students. Speaking during the occasion, Rumbek central county commissioner, Matur Majok Magol said the war between Khartoum and South Sudan is over but the war against HIV/Aids in South Sudan continues. Magol said urged “the people of Rumbek Central County to fight against HIV/Aids like the virus of the Khartoum regime” and advised “everyone to protect themselves against HIV.” The Lakes state HIV/Aids commission chairperson, Paul Thok Ayok, said that awareness of the diesease has reached remote communities but its prevalence is still increasing. The Lakes state acting governor, Marik Nanga Marik, said that Lakes state community leaders should take the lead in the fight against HIV/Aids. He explained that the practise of polygamy, which is common in South Sudan, can increase the spread of the disease. Marik said “I know some chiefs who have more than 30 wives in our society. In polygamous society HIV is a real danger and we have to talk about this.” According to the message of the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, read by UN Mission in South Sudan, Gilbert Nantsa, “in June, the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level meeting on AIDs adopted bold targets for 2015; reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by half, eliminate discrimination, and close the AIDs funding gap.” Ki-moon stated that “among populations at risk, the tide is shifting. Access to HIV prevention services are helping young people, sex workers and their clients, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and transgender people to take control of their health for greater well-being’. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
