The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the state is the fifth highest in HIV prevalence rate in Nigeria, and highest in the Southeast region.
Dr. Obidike stated this in Awka during a press briefing in commemoration of World Aids Day.
Briefing the media, the Commissioner, who noted that HIV is one of the issues of public health importance, revealed that it is estimated that ninety-eight thousand, nine hundred and sixty Ndi Anambra are living with HIV/Aids, out of which fifteen percent of the numbers know their status.
Dr. Obidike further noted that the state government has increased HIV testing and counseling centres in the state from the initial one hundred and four to one thousand, one hundred and eighty-two across the state.
According to Dr. Obidike, there are now HIV self-test kits, which people can buy and test themselves at their leisure or suitable times for privacy, and that there will be among other things a road show in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi today to mark the event.
The Health Commissioner maintained that Anambra has commenced the process of domesticating anti stigma law in the state, and has equally enrolled one hundred people living with the disease into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme.
World Aids Day is being celebrated every first December to remember those who are living with the health issue, as well as those who died from it.
The theme for this year’s event is “Communities: leadership to end Aids by 2030”.
The Anambra State Director of Public Health, Dr. Afam Anieme, and Mr. JohnBosco Ementa of the Anambra State Aids Control Agency, ANSACA, among others were present during the briefing.
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