South Sudan HIV/AIDs Commission says there is a need to increase awareness and education campaigns to reduce the rate of infections in the country.

A UNAIDS 2013 report says about 150,000 people in South Sudan are living with HIV/AIDS.

Today South Sudan joins the rest of the world in celebrating the Global HIV/AIDS Day under the theme: “Focus, Partner and Achieve an AIDS-free Generation.”

The Chairperson of the commission, Dr. Esterina Novella, told Eye Radio’s Dawn Program that the AIDs body is aiming at raising awareness to let people know how to prevent themselves from the disease.

“We need HIV/AIDs to be put in our curriculum so that student or a child can learn about it as he is growing up,” said Dr Esterina.

Ms Novella said there is need for topics on HIV/ AIDS to be included in the country’s education curriculum.

World AIDS Day is celebrated around the world on December 1st each year. It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

In 2013, there were about 35 million people living with HIV. Since the start of the epidemic, around 78 million people have become infected with HIV and 39 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses.

“On this World AIDS Day, I call on world leaders to unite in our common cause. We have started to turn the tide. We have set a bold target. Let us end AIDS together by 2030,” Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, said during this year’s celebration.