By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Government officials have been accused of confiscating malaria, tuberculosis and antiretroviral drugs from HIV/AIDS, and TB patients putting their lives at risk.
Executive Director of NASOSS, Peter Garang Ngor disclosed this during an event to mark 20 years of global fund support.
Emphasizing the serious threat the act poses to patients who rely on the medications, Garang did not provide specific details on the confiscation claims.
He expressed concern that antiretroviral drugs and condoms are vital in containing sexual transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies.
“We have heard stories of ARV drugs and condoms, which are essential for reducing sexually transmitted diseases and preventing unwanted pregnancies, being confiscated by some officials in this country,” said Garang.
As of this year, over 70,000 patients have enrolled in and received antiretroviral services nationwide, thanks to the Global Fund.
However, Garang also criticized the Juba City Council’s Public Health Department for requiring potential business owners to undergo mandatory HIV/AIDS testing at Juba Teaching Hospital. Those who test positive are reportedly denied business licenses.
Despite significant progress, Garang highlighted that stigma remains a major challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Sudan.
He called on the government to address discriminatory practices and invest in the health sector to complement the Global Fund grants.
“As we strive to achieve the global target of triple 95-95-95% (Test for HIV/AIDS, Enrolled for HIV/AIDS and have viral load suppressed) we still have HIV/AIDS positive patients chased from work, others denied jobs because of their health status as such this affects the fight against the virus,” said Garang.
The Global Fund provides grants to enhance South Sudan’s response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria while also working to build resilient and sustainable health systems. The fund supports the country’s goal of eliminating these diseases as public health threats by 2030.
Before the Global Fund intervened in 2004 and 2007, only three health facilities in South Sudan offered antiretroviral and tuberculosis services, serving only a limited number of patients.
Sheila Ngatia, UNDP Resident Representative, acknowledged the challenging working environment for healthcare workers but emphasized the Global Fund’s impact.
The fund has supported 245 hospitals and health facilities nationwide, enabling them to provide TB services and HIV/AIDS testing to 5.4 million people since 2006.
Currently, 72,670 HIV/AIDS patients are receiving ART treatment, while a total of 97,570 cases have been registered since 2006.
“Other milestones are installing solar in 19 hospitals and other health facilities which currently is improving the quality of care and enabling critical hospital operations to continue work amidst power shortages,” said Ngatia
Andrew Etsano, UNICEF Senior Manager, highlighted the Global Fund’s contribution to malaria control. In 2022, UNICEF distributed 15 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets, reducing malaria burden among children under five and vulnerable populations.
Additionally, 1,540 community health workers were trained, increasing access to healthcare services by 56%.
Between 2004 and 2018, 47,012 community health workers were trained to ensure prompt malaria treatment.
Health facilities managed 4,015,310 cases of uncomplicated malaria in children under five, and 7,434,135 anti-malarial treatments were procured and distributed with Global Fund support.
Over the past 20 years, the Ministry of Health and partners have implemented 12 grants totaling $799,443,756 million. As of September 2024, $671,030 million has been disbursed.