Deputy governor wants forceful HIV/AIDS testing in Lakes State

JUBA – The deputy governor of South Sudan’s Lakes State Puoth Madit Dut has proposed, in a statement, that the government of his state should conduct a compulsory HIV/AIDS testing for any resident receiving services from the government.

The comments by Dut comes after the chairperson of HIV and AIDS commission Esterino Novelo said during the 6^th Governors’ Forum in Juba last week that the country is unlikely to suppress HIV by 2030 due to shortage of funding from the government and partners.

The national minister of health Yolanda Awel Deng also said during the World AIDS Day on December 1^st that the virus has spread across the country with Western Equatoria, Lakes and Unity States being the areas of high prevalence, adding that most people are not aware of their HIV status which hampers treatment.

“The virus is across the country with varying levels of transmissions. The highest (prevalence) is in Western Equatoria followed by Lakes and Unity states,” she said.

“While the lowest transmissions are in Warrap and Upper Nile states respectively. Last year the country recorded 17,000 new infections and 8,000 dead,” she revealed.

In his statement, Dut stressed that the high infection rate in his state is increasingly becoming a concern to the government and suggested that everyone should be asked for a HIV test when receiving government services or when looking for a job.

“My thinking, which may be wild, is that for anyone to get services anywhere, whether you are looking for treatment, job or relief food, you must be tested first. It must be mandatory. That way, we will save lives and prevent the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS,” Puoth said.

The proposal has sparked debate, with some arguing that mandatory testing goes against individual rights and freedoms. Others, however, support the idea, saying that it is necessary in order to address the HIV epidemic in the state.

The Governor has said that it will continue to engage with community leaders and other stakeholders in order to find a solution to the crisis. In the meantime, it is urging residents of Lakes State to get tested for HIV and to seek treatment if necessary.