Health
WIFE of Anambra Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo says her Healthy Living Initiative will partner the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) to promote HIV awareness and control across the state.
She made the commitment on Saturday, while receiving officials of ANSACA at her office in Awka.
The visit came after reports placed Anambra fifth among Nigerian states with the highest number of people living with HIV.
She said the state’s current HIV rate calls for urgent, coordinated action to reduce the burden.
“I have confidence in the capacity of ANSACA to drive HIV prevention, control and public education programmes across communities in the state.
“Healthy Living Initiative will support all efforts to strengthen HIV awareness, testing and response no Anambra,”she said.
She praised the agency’s work against HIV spread and expressed hope that continued efforts would lower prevalence quickly.
Soludo also ordered that 10 women living with HIV be included in her NGO’s next empowerment program.
She restated her commitment to partnering with ANSACA to stop the virus.
Earlier, ANSACA Executive Director, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the agency had a strategic plan aligned with the state government’s vision.
He disclosed that Anambra’s HIV prevalence stands at 2.4 per cent, above the national average of 2.1 per cent which makes it the highest in the South-East and 5th highest nationwide.
Okeke said the situation demands stronger interventions, more public enlightenment, and wider access to testing and treatment.
“Plans are underway to establish the Anambra State HIV Research Centre at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, in collaboration with the Federal Government.
“The proposed centre will advance HIV research, prevention and control efforts in the state,”he said.
According to him, ANSACA is currently running free “moonlight” HIV testing in communities and remains focused on cutting prevalence through sustained awareness and treatment (NAN)
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Tags: HIV Prevention Soludo Wife