By Obianuju Isima
The Executive Director of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, has tasked the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey (iBBSS) 2026 team to prioritise accurate data collection, strict compliance with approved protocols and effective teamwork throughout the exercise.
Dr. Okeke made the call on Sept. 15 while briefing members of the iBBSS 2026 team, stressing that the quality and reliability of data generated from the survey would be critical to understanding HIV-related behaviours and risks and strengthening evidence-based interventions for key populations in Anambra State.
He urged the team to adhere strictly to approved survey procedures, particularly during data collection and sample gathering at designated and mapped hotspots.
The ANSACA Executive Director emphasised the importance of collaboration among team members, directing them to promptly identify and report any operational challenges that could affect the quality or effectiveness of the exercise.
He assured the team of ANSACA’s full support, noting that the agency and the Anambra State Government remained committed to providing the necessary assistance for the successful implementation of the survey.
The iBBSS combines behavioural and biological surveillance to generate information on behaviours associated with HIV risk, alongside biological data obtained through sample collection among identified populations and locations.
Dr. Okeke commended the West African Centre for Public Health and Development (WACPHD), the project managers, for their support to Anambra State and commitment to generating reliable evidence to help measure the impact of health interventions among key populations.
He expressed confidence that accurate data collection, adherence to established protocols and effective teamwork would enable the 2026 iBBSS to generate valuable evidence for strengthening HIV prevention and response efforts across the state.
Obianuju Isima is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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