Background

It is believed that the civil war contributed towards the limited spread of HIV/AIDS, as the country was closed off from extensive interaction with other countries. Southern Sudan therefore experiences a relatively low incidence of HIV/AIDS with HIV/AIDS prevalence rates estimated around 2.6% of the adult population. The peace process and subsequent opening of the Southern Sudan borders and the interior, may well present a problem with the potential risk of increased HIV/AIDS transmission. There is limited statistical evidence and data to provide an accurate picture of the patterns and key drivers of the epidemic in the country.

The 2004 Sudan Millennium Development Goals Unified Interim Report states that since September 2002, Sudan has faced a countrywide challenge when it comes to HIV/AIDS. There are however regional variations in that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is higher in the Southern states, Eastern states, Khartoum and White Nile State. Almost all transmission, 94%, is the result of heterosexual transmission, with vertical transmission from mother to child accounting for 2.4%. Sudan’s situation is made even more difficult since the epidemic has taken a grip in neighbouring countries – and there is free movement across the porous borders. HIV prevalence rates may be higher in areas that have experienced greater population mobility and contact with other neighbouring countries, such as Uganda, DRC, and Ethiopia that are believed to have higher HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.

Objectives
The objectives of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Programme in Southern Sudan are:
• To improve knowledge and practice of HIV and STI preventive measures by the general adult population, youth, and vulnerable population sub-groups during the 2006-2011.
• To develop and expand treatment, care and support services for people and families living with HIV/AIDS.
• To build the capacity of the Southern Sudan AIDS Commission – SSAC, NGOs and local institutions to effectively manage and monitor HIV/AIDS programmes.

Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• this project supported the development of the first HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework, HIV Policy, M&E Framework and BCC Strategy for Southern Sudan.
• A Southern Sudan Network of PLHIV was formed in 2007
• As stated in the background above, data on HIV prevalence in Sothern Sudan is scanty, the project is supporting sentinel surveillance in ANC clinics across Southern Sudan and the results will be out in the first quarter of 2010.
• This is the only project providing ARVs for PLHIV in the entire Southern Sudan. So far nine ART centres have being established across Southern Sudan and this number is expected to double by the end of the project in 2011. 1,684
• PLHIV are accessing ART services from these centres against a target of 710.
• Currently over 12,000 people have tested for HIV in the various VCCT centres supported by this project and this figure is expected is increase significantly as the project expands.
• This project also supports safe blood practices and universal precautions services in all transfusion centres in Southern Sudan.
• Over 16,000 sex workers have being reached with HIV/AIDS prevention services
• Through this project over 75,000 youths in and out of school have being trained on life skills
• This project also supports training of health care providers in VCCT, ART, STI, management
• This project contributes to strengthening health system in Southern Sudan through; staff recruitments, trainings, procurement of Vehicles, IT equipments, Laboratory equipments and consumables, Condoms and related drugs.