Health
WIFE of the Anambra Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has said that early testing, prompt treatment and proper follow-up during pregnancy can prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases.
Soludo stated this on Tuesday in Awka at a one-day high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Syphilis.
The meeting was themed, “Synergising Efforts Towards Triple Elimination: Strengthening Investment, Innovation and Collaboration to End HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Syphilis in Anambra State.”
It was organised by the Anambra Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Trinity Healthcare Foundation and other partners.
She said early testing and treatment would not only prevent transmission of infections from mother to child but also avert lifelong health complications for mothers and their babies.
Soludo called for increased investment and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis across Anambra.
According to her, sustained investment and collaboration are critical to protecting families and securing the future of children through improved access to quality maternal and child healthcare services.
She said her Healthy Living Initiative prioritised preventive healthcare, emphasising that investing in prevention remained more effective and less costly than treating diseases after they occurred.
Soludo commended the state government for strengthening maternal and child healthcare through its free antenatal care programme in public health facilities across the state.
“Thousands of pregnant women are currently benefiting from essential antenatal services, including screening and preventive interventions aimed at eliminating the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis-B and Syphilis from mother to child.
“Achieving the Triple Elimination Agenda will require the active participation of healthcare workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and families.
“Therefore, I urge community and religious leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and encourage early antenatal attendance as well as combat stigma associated with the diseases.
“I believe that the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis is achievable, affordable and necessary if stakeholders renew their commitment,” she said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said that in spite of significant progress in HIV testing and prevention, the state still needed to intensify efforts to identify undiagnosed cases.
He said there was also a need to strengthen linkage to treatment and sustain positive health outcomes among affected persons across the state.
“The state’s free antenatal care programme provides an effective platform for integrating screening, prevention and treatment services for HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis,” he said.
In his remarks, the World Health Organization (WHO) State Coordinator, Dr Bonos Mohammed, said the triple elimination initiative required strong political commitment and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
Mohammed assured participants of WHO’s continued support through strategic guidance, technical assistance and advocacy aimed at achieving the initiative’s objectives.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator and Director of NASCP, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, represented by Dr Chioma Ukanwa, urged stakeholders to develop actionable plans with clear implementation timelines.
Presenting an overview of the state’s disease burden, the State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr Tonia Mbagwu, said that 20 of the 85,802 pregnant women tested for Syphilis were positive.
Mbagwu added that 117 of the 62,971 women screened for Hepatitis tested positive, underscoring the need for sustained prevention and treatment interventions.
She emphasised the need to expand prevention programmes and targeted testing to reach underserved populations while increasing domestic resource mobilisation and strengthening partnerships.(NAN)
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Tags: Anambra State ministry of health HIV Nonye Soludo