By Emmanuel Mandella

As residents grapple with an escalating cash shortage crippling daily transactions across Western Equatoria State, health partners are pressing forward with renewed efforts to eliminate new HIV infections by 2030, rolling out free testing and prevention services in remote communities.

Yet, amid the financial strain, HIV response partners say public health interventions cannot wait.

Speaking during an interview with The City Review, Agnes Yosa Deriwade, Program Coordinator for the National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPO) in Nzara County, outlined a series of outreach activities planned for Friday in Kumbobangi, which is under Sakure Payam.

NEPO, a national organization established in Juba in 2012 and operating in Western Equatoria since 2016, works primarily with women and vulnerable groups to reduce HIV infections through awareness campaigns, counseling, testing, and treatment referrals.

“We are working with outreach programs to create awareness in our communities. We conduct counseling and testing, and if someone is found positive, we refer them to St. Theresa Mission Hospital in Nzara for further management,” Deriwade explained.

The organization collaborates closely with St. Theresa Mission Hospital and Nzara Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) to ensure continuity of care for those diagnosed.

With International Women’s Day approaching, NEPO has intensified community sensitization efforts targeting young women and key populations across Yambio and Nzara Counties.

Last week, the organization convened groups of young girls at its office to disseminate key messages on HIV prevention, gender awareness, and health rights. Participants were encouraged to prepare dramas and songs to amplify prevention messages within their communities.

“We are dealing mostly with key populations, especially young women and men. We have already started awareness activities and are preparing to celebrate International Women’s Day by passing strong messages about HIV prevention,” Deriwade said.

Health experts have consistently warned that adolescent girls and young women remain among the most vulnerable groups to new HIV infections in South Sudan.

On Friday, NEPO teams will set up a temporary outreach center at Nubisue Market in Kumbobangi, offering free HIV testing and preventive medication known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

PrEP is a preventive drug administered to individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection particularly those whose partners are HIV-positive to reduce the likelihood of contracting the virus.

“This drug is not for everyone; it is for those at risk, if your husband is taking ARVs, you can take PrEP to protect yourself. It works like a condom in preventing infection, but in form of medication,” Deriwade clarified.

She emphasized that both testing and medication will be provided free of charge.

“We are not doing this for money. It is a service to the community and to South Sudan at large. By 2030, we want to see zero new infections,” she said.

In a call for community turnout, Deriwade appealed to community members including pregnant women, youth, and elderly residents to take advantage of the outreach.

“This virus is not for young people only; it is not for the old only. It affects everyone, if you stay at home, you may not know your status. It is better to know early,” she warned.

The outreach event will be held near the church close to Nubisue Market, with organizers urging residents to turn up in large numbers.

She also called on state authorities and development partners to continue supporting HIV programs in Western Equatoria.

“I am appealing to partners and authorities to stand with us. Together, we can protect our communities,” Deriwade added.

While the worsening cash crisis threatens to disrupt essential services and livelihoods, health partners say sustained commitment is critical if Western Equatoria is to meet its target of ending new HIV infections within the next five years.

For many residents, Friday’s outreach in Kumbobangi represents not just a health service but a lifeline.

She appealed to the people of Western Equatoria State to turn out always to their status as prevention is better than cure.

“Knowing your status can save your life. This is our chance to protect ourselves and our families.”