By Chizoba Okeke
The Anambra State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ANSACA) has disclosed that the state currently records a 2.4 per cent HIV prevalence rate, higher than the national average of 2.1 per cent. The figure places Anambra fifth among the 36 states in Nigeria and first in the Southeast geopolitical zone.
The disclosure was made on June 17, during a familiarization visit by the House Committee on Health of the Anambra State House of Assembly to the newly appointed Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, and his management team.
Speaking at the visit, Dr. Okeke described the prevalence rate as a serious public health concern that requires intensified collaboration among stakeholders.
In his word, “Anambra currently has an HIV prevalence rate of 2.4 per cent, which is higher than the national average of 2.1 per cent. This places the state fifth in the country and the highest in the Southeast. While significant progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to reverse this trend.”
The Executive Director outlined ongoing interventions, including expanded moonlight outreach programmes and a strengthened ward-based volunteer network to decentralize awareness campaigns and encourage early testing and treatment across communities.
Dr. Okeke said ANSACA’s target is to achieve zero new HIV infections by 2028, but noted that inadequate budgetary provisions and heavy dependence on external funding remain major obstacles. He stressed that sustained government support would be critical to achieving the goal.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Member Representing Aguata II Constituency, Hon. Tony Muobike, commended the agency’s renewed vision and strategic interventions. He assured that the Committee recognizes the funding challenges confronting ANSACA and is committed to working closely with the agency to improve the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes statewide.
The visit underscored growing collaboration between the legislature and ANSACA as both institutions seek to strengthen prevention, treatment, and coordination efforts across ministries and communities in Anambra State.
Chizoba Okeke is of the Ministry of the Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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