HIV testing equipment. (File photo).

A health specialist in Juba is encouraging married couple to test for HIV together to determine their status and live a healthy life.

Amule Darious, the Manager of HIV Services at Nyakuron Primary Health Center said women who test HIV positive do not disclose the results with the partners for fear of divorce or domestic violence.

Darious stresses on the importance of spouses testing together to know their status and start medication together.

“We have seen that mostly especially with women. They are the victims because when they test, they are afraid of disclosing their status with their partners – fearing the partner might kill or divorce them,” Darious said on Eye Radio Mother and Childcare Program on Friday.

“So, it is difficult to reach those who are supposed to be tested because as a mother, if you test positive, we are supposed to also test your husband.”

“If you do not bring your partner for testing, if you do not disclose again, the partner will continue having sex with you and if you’re a woman you cannot say let us use condoms because he will ask you why.”

“So let us ensure that married spouses test together so that they begin to know their status and take medication together.”

Darious urged HIV Positive people to stay away from herbal companies that deceives them that they have a cure for the virus.

“Some of these companies that have introduced herbal drugs; most of them are also confusing people in the community that this drug can take HIV out and it makes our people in South Sudan to believe, and others even spend money for nothing.”

“…and still come back sick and it becomes difficult for us to help so I urge the community to be alert if there is cure in the community for HIV these centers will not be open, so people have to come and get the best information from the health centers.”