In an effort to combat the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, ANSACA, is partnering the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS.
During a two-day Prevention Technical Working Group meeting in Awka, stakeholders from various organizations agreed to strengthen collaboration and adopt a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention.
The forum served as a platform to identify existing gaps and challenges in achieving the global ninety-five prevention target where participants brainstormed on strategies to address these gaps within the state.
In a keynote address, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, announced that the distribution of eighty-four thousand free HIV self-testing kits has been made available in the state, adding that the kits will empower individuals to know their HIV status.
Dr. Obidike added that the state government is intensifying awareness efforts and collaboration to minimize HIV prevalence, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures for those uninfected and adherence to medication for those living with the virus.
Speaking on the matter, the Executive Director of ANSACA, Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, highlighted the agency’s commitment to sustaining HIV response efforts even as he noted that ANSACA has implemented prevention mapping tools to assess agencies’ actions and areas of intervention.
He encouraged the public to support the ongoing intervention in the state, which includes free antenatal care services declared by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and to regularly check their HIV status and help to combat stigma against those living with the virus.
Contributing, the Director of Public Health, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Afam Aneme emphasized preventive measures such as abstinence, faithfulness to partners, and consistent condom use when necessary.
Lending her voice, the state representative of UNAIDS, Dr. Ada Anosike spoke on the high levels of stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV in the state, emphasizing the need to shun it
Partners including Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNI), UNAIDS, Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWAN), AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF), and Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA) participated in the meeting to support HIV prevention effort.
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