Sudanese Health Minister Sokaya Encourages Churches To Spread HIV/AIDS Awareness

Sudanese Health Minister Tabita Sokaya recently called on churches in the country's capital, Khartoum, to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS among their congregations, the Sudan Radio Service reports.

Sokaya last week during an HIV/AIDS awareness event organized by the Roman Catholic Church said that HIV/AIDS affects young and active people and that the country cannot afford to lose young people to the virus. Sokaya said the country is "in need of youth to build the new Sudan," adding, "As such, we must face HIV and AIDS and fight against it."

Sokaya added that the Ministry of Health will work in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure access to antiretroviral drugs for HIV-positive people in the country. She also called on people to not discriminate against people living with the virus. The Rev. Carlo Uyaka Umgbanga at the event encouraged people to be tested for HIV, adding that everyone is responsible for knowing his or her HIV status. Umgbanga also reiterated the Catholic Church's opposition to condom use and sex outside marriage (Sudan Radio Service, 3/11).