By Jenifer James
The South Sudan Aid Commission decries funding shortfalls. The commission will need Three Million United States Dollars to be able to respond to HIV/AIDS cases in the country. Dr. Esterina Novello, The Chairperson of the South Sudan Aid Commission, said the commission requires the funds to fully implement its four-year national HIV/AIDS response strategy as confirmed by health officials this week.
The funding gap remains significant, with current donor commitments falling far short of the target.
In a press conference with the media on Tuesday, the chairperson of the South Sudan Aid Commission, Dr Esterina Novello, said the figure is outlined in the country’s HIV Strategic Plan, which runs over a four-year period.
“The budget needed for HIV, we have the strategic plan available in this country, the strategic plan needed to address the HIV for four years it amounted to $300 million US dollars, and that money it’s not at hand we don’t have it,” Esterina said.
According to Esterina, $120 million has been pledged from the Global Fund, while the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) used to contribute more than $40 million annually. However, much of this external funding comes with restrictions.
Esterina calls on people living with HIV (PLHIV) to return for treatment and drug refills.
‘’as of now, we are talking, and even that is the reason why we are having this conference to inform our clients, all the PLHIV, to go back and access the services they use to access. We have the drugs available the doctors are there, the nurses are there, all the services provided daily, they should access, they should not shy away from going to the hospital,’’ Esterina said.
The current number of people living with HIV in South Sudan is estimated at 167,000, down from 184,000 in previous years. However, officials caution against assuming this entirely due to prevention success.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan Aid Commission Dr. Achol Ayom, has called on the government to prioritize increased funding for the HIV Commission and the broader health sector.
‘’so this is one of the major things the government should take on its neck to increase the budget of HIV commission, to increase the budget of the health sector. It’s like education because education is part of us too. After all, through the school, we can spread the word about HIV. The community should be supported, because you remember our people, they believe in their chiefs and I think this is one of the things we could use to reduce or to let people know what is HIV (and how they can protect themselves,’’ Achol said
South Sudan’s HIV response is heavily reliant on donor funding, with international donors