Anambra state Commissioner for Health Dr Afam Obidike says the state government has enrolled two hundred persons living with HIV into the Anambra state Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr. Obidike disclosed this during a press briefing organized by the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners to commemorate 2022 World AIDS Day held in Awka.
HIV/AIDS is one of the diseases of public importance. Its transmission from person to person is through body fluids during heterosexual sex, mother to child during pregnancy, labor and delivery, breast feeding, blood transfusion and risky sexual behaviours, among others.
According to Dr. Obidike, Anambra is one of the states in Nigeria with a very high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, and the high prevalence indicates that more people in the state are being tested on a daily basis.
The Commissioner noted that using the Anambra state’s most recent HIV prevalence of two-point four percent, and projected population of over six million people, and a spectrum projection for 2022, they have a testing target of over ninety thousand but has so far reached over forty-two thousand.
Dr. Obidike said that the Ministry in collaboration with their implementing partners have set up two Community teams per local government area in the state that conduct free HIV testing and counseling in communities, churches and markets across the state, and that they have taken the HIV prevention and counseling to higher institutions of learnings and National Youth Service Corps camp, among others.
He revealed that the Anambra state government has increased the HIV treatment sites in the state from one hundred and four to one thousand and seventeen in the last eight months.
Dr. Obidike maintained that in limiting some of the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, the state government has enrolled two hundred people living with HIV into the Anambra state Health Insurance Scheme.
According to him, the HIV self-testing kit is available for people who do not want to be tested outside, and that the State government is working tirelessly to educate people on what they need to know about the disease, how to prevent it, among others.
The Health Commissioner made it clear that in order to mark this year’s event, they will set up multiple testing points for free HIV testing at strategic locations today, hold road walk at major cities of the state, including Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha, noting that the day provides a unique opportunity for massive public sensitization, aimed at reducing new infections, educating the society on modes of transmission and improving HIV counseling and testing services.
Those present during the briefing were, the Anambra State AIDS Control Coordinator, Dr. Afam Aneme, the Executive Director, Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) Mr. Johnbosco Ementa and Dr. Adaora Anosike of UNAIDS, among others.
Comments are closed for this post.