By Deng Ghai Deng
Health authorities in Jonglei State’s capital Bor have reported a concerning rise in the number of HIV-positive pregnant women seeking antenatal care at Bor State Hospital.
Atong Ajak, a nurse at the hospital, noted that she registers new HIV cases daily, with pregnant women being particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Women visiting the hospital express anxiety and curiosity as they await their chance to see a doctor for antenatal care, which includes a mandatory HIV test.
Achan Mabior, a Bor resident, shared her relief after receiving a negative test result.
“I was worried that HIV may be found in my blood because you can’t trust men these days. Recently, Jonglei was found to be one of the leading states in South Sudan with a high number of infections, which makes a lot of women like me very worried,” Achan said.
Another resident, Awuoi Malek, explained that HIV testing is a routine practice in her family due to her husband’s polygamous marriage.
“Regular testing is how we are managing. When my co-wife stops breastfeeding and plans for another pregnancy, she goes for testing with our husband, the same as me. If I am still breastfeeding, he tests with the other wife,” Awuoi said.
Polygamy remains a common practice in parts of South Sudan, including Jonglei state, contributing to the spread of HIV and complicating efforts to combat the epidemic.
Nurse Atong Ajak emphasized the importance of voluntary testing and counseling for HIV-positive mothers.
“When I test a mother and find her positive, I refer her to Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and call her husband for testing. If he is also positive, we enrol them in treatment,” Ajak explained.
Since 2011, over 32,000 people in Jonglei have been living with HIV/AIDS, according to health authorities. However, the battle against the virus faces significant obstacles, including limited resources, widespread stigma, and ongoing insecurity in the region.
Health experts, including UN AIDS officials, have stressed that these challenges continue to undermine efforts to combat HIV in South Sudan and specifically in Jonglei state.