By Obianuju Isima
No fewer than 139 residents of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) benefited from free HIV counselling and testing, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) screening, health education and referral services during a community health outreach organised by the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) in collaboration with the University on the Niger Medical Students’ Association (UNIMSA).
The outreach, held on July 5 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ogidi, was aimed at expanding access to preventive healthcare services while promoting the early detection and treatment of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis.
Participants received free HIV and malaria tests, TB screening, as well as health education on HIV prevention, the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, malaria prevention through proper environmental sanitation, early recognition of TB symptoms, routine medical check-ups and healthy lifestyle practices. Those requiring further medical attention were referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for continued care.
Ahead of the exercise, ANSACA, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Dr. Nkem Okeke, trained members of UNIMSA on July 4 on the National HIV Testing Services Guidelines, ethical standards, counselling techniques, infection prevention and control as well as referral procedures to ensure quality service delivery during the outreach.
The agency said that the initiative aligns with Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare across Anambra State, reaffirming its dedication to strengthening community-based HIV interventions, encouraging residents to know their HIV status, access available health services and seek early treatment whenever necessary.
Obianuju Isima of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
