A delegation from the world’s newest state of South Sudan last month embarked on a study tour to Botswana to learn how the country is implementing the national response to HIV and AIDS and to establish vibrant partnerships on HIV.

 

 A three member delegation, led by the Minister responsible for AIDS and chair person of the South Sudanese National AIDS Commission Dr Esterina Novello  Nyilok met with the National AIDS Coordinating Agency, (NACA), implementing partners, development partners, the Civil Society Organizations and the private sector to learn about their roles in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  

According to Dr Novello Nyilok, the South Sudanese AIDS Commission chose to benchmark against Botswana which has been dubbed the best practice on how it has managed to cope with the epidemic. Dr Nyilok commended Botswana for being the pioneers and champions in the national response to HIV and AIDS.

 

 The South Sudanese AIDS Commission chairperson said as a post-conflict country of a 50-year civil war that claimed more that 5-million lives, everything in the country is a priority. She said although the national HIV prevalence is below 6 percent, the country cannot wait for structures to be put in place while new infections are increasing and AIDS related illnesses are claiming lives. She said the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from neighboring countries is likely to increase the national HIV prevalence, hence the need for the country to brace itself.

 

While in Botswana, the team also paid a courtesy call to the Chairperson of the National AIDS Council Vice President Lt Gen Mompati Merafhe, the Minister responsible for the national response to HIV and AIDS Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Minister of Health Dr John Seakgosing and the Assistant Minister of Local Government Maxwell Motowane. The team also visited Debswana Diamond Mining Company to appreciate how the company is tackling managing HIV and AIDS to ensure that it does not affect production.

 

South Sudan became an independent state on July 9 2011. The country has an estimated population of 12-million with about 4 to 6% living with HIV. Established in 2006, the South Sudanese AIDS Commission is under the Office of the President while the Ministry of Health is the main implementer.