Surging Call for Faith-Backed HIV Prevention
South Sudan’s HIV/AIDS Commission believes a decisive cultural shift could cement recent gains against the virus. Deputy Chairperson Achol Ayom says encouraging condom acceptance across churches, mosques and chiefdoms would safeguard citizens who struggle with abstinence and fidelity pledges.
Conversations in Pulpits and Palaces
“No parent’s advice reaches every ear,” Ayom recalled telling a skeptical chief. Her message to clergy and elders is pragmatic: condoms protect the minority who will not heed moral guidance, preventing infections that ripple through entire families.
Religious teachings on chastity remain intact, she notes, yet acknowledging human behavior can translate scripture into saved lives. Islamic scholars and Christian pastors have privately signaled openness, provided community discussions frame condoms as a last line of defense.
Latest HIV Statistics in South Sudan
Health Ministry figures, validated by the World Health Organization, show prevalence declining nationwide. In 2024, 875,171 people tested for HIV; 15,262 were positive. The country started 16,695 on antiretroviral therapy, pushing total active patients to 75,266.
Yet roughly seventy-five thousand diagnosed citizens are still off treatment. Women remain especially vulnerable: those on therapy fell from 4,694 in 2023 to 3,677 in 2024. Mother-to-child prevention lags, with only half of pregnant women on medication and 42 percent virally suppressed.
Closing the Rural Awareness Gap
Western Equatoria, Lakes and Upper Nile continue to record the highest incidence, illustrating how conflict and distance hinder outreach. Ayom urges broadcasters and community journalists to intensify vernacular campaigns so rural listeners grasp the importance of testing, treatment and consistent condom supply.
Toward an AIDS-Free Generation
Public-health officials believe the downward trend can accelerate if faith leaders publicly endorse preventive tools. “Our scripture values life,” Ayom stresses. “Protecting it with every means available, including condoms, brings us closer to an AIDS-free generation.”