By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has lauded the efforts of the Anambra State Government and the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) for their remarkable strides in combating HIV/AIDS in the state.
The UNAIDS Country Director in Nigeria, Dr. Leo Zekeng, gave the commendation when he visited the state to assess the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to strengthen collaborations towards achieving the global target of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Dr. Zekeng, who was accompanied by UNAIDS Programme Adviser, Dr. Adaoha Anosike, began the United Nation mission with an interactive session at the office of the State Commissioner for Health at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, where he commended the state government’s proactive approach to healthcare and its strategic response to HIV/AIDS.
From there, he proceeded to the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) at the Government House, where he engaged with the team, and was further briefed on the state’s interventions and updated on the progress made so far with the multisectoral HIV response.
Speaking during the visit, which was also witnessed by the representatives of the implementing partners in the state, the UNAIDS Country Director expressed satisfaction with the commitment demonstrated by the state government in addressing HIV/AIDS. He noted that the level of collaboration between the government, implementing partners and civil society organizations has been instrumental in achieving the significant milestones recorded in the state.
He described Anambra State as a model in the fight against HIV/AIDS, highlighting the state’s efforts to decentralize HIV services and improve accessibility to care for the key and vulnerable populations. While stressing the need for sustained efforts, he further urged the state to continue leveraging partnerships to scale up intervention programs and expand healthcare services.
Dr. Zekeng, who also spoke in an interview with this reporter, specifically praised the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for prioritizing healthcare, describing it as a bold step towards achieving the UNAIDS Global target by 2030. He further confidently reassured stakeholders that UNAIDS would continue to support the state in its quest to eliminate HIV/AIDS, even as he reiterated the importance of community involvement and grassroots awareness in combating the epidemic. He reiterated their goal of exploring ways to provide technical support and mobilize resources to scale up the response and sustain efforts towards ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
Earlier speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, expressed appreciation to UNAIDS for their consistent support and guidance. He noted that the partnership between the state and development partners such as the UN has yielded significant outcomes, particularly in enhancing healthcare delivery and HIV/AIDS management.
Giving an overview of the state’s achievements, Dr. Obidike took time to highlight the collaborative spirit of the Soludo-led administration, stating that the state government’s commitment to healthcare which significantly transformed the HIV response landscape. He further emphasized that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the state places top priority on the health sector, given its fundamental role in sustainable development.
“From day-one, Governor Soludo has continued to demonstrate his commitment to healthcare, and this has manifested in the expansion of HIV treatment centers to 175 health facilities with the activation of additional facilities of over 200 to render HIV services and support for the enrolment of over a thousand persons living with HIV/AIDS into the state health insurance scheme,” Dr. Obidike stated.
According to him, the collaborative efforts between the State Ministry of Health, Anambra State AIDS Control Agency and implementing partners have also resulted in the strategic employment training and deployment of healthcare workers to strengthen the healthcare at health facilities, significantly improving access and service coverage. He further noted that the expansion of PMTCT services in all 21 local government areas , the government support for free antenatal services and free delivery which has improved access of more pregnant women to PMTCT programme, and the procurement of MPIMA machines for improved early infant diagnosis.
Also speaking during a visit to his office, the Executive Director of Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, highlighted other strides made by government with the support of partners such as commencing the process of domesticating the anti-stigma law in the state, engaging Clinical Mentors to train healthcare workers and improve the quality of HIV services, as well as providing HIV services to vulnerable and key populations in the society, among others. The Executive Director of ANSACA, who was visibly elated, described the visit as encouraging and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to sustaining the momentum in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
While lauding UNAIDS for their relentless support and technical assistance, Mr. Ementa further specifically highlighted and recognized the efforts of the state government, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)the development/implementing partners and civil society organizations in the state, such as the Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative(AHNI), AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF), Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Association of Positive Youths in Nigeria (APYIN), Global Fund, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), and others, for their contributions to support the implementation of global and national strategies in HIV/AIDS response in Anambra State.
He acknowledged that the collaborative approach has been crucial in overcoming challenges and ensuring that HIV/AIDS interventions reach even the most remote areas of the state.
“The collective effort of the government, partners, and communities is yielding positive results, and we are committed to maintaining this synergy,” Ementa concluded.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Obidike, and the Executive Director for Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, Mr. Ementa hailed the UNAIDS Programme Adviser, Dr. Adaoha Anosike, for her commitment and efforts, and technical support which, they said, have significantly strengthened HIV/AIDS response in the state; even as was further gathered that Dr. Zekeng and Dr. Anosike, thereafter, extended the visit to the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving health care and assured the UNAIDS team of continued collaboration. It was also gathered that the visit to the governor presented an opportunity for further deliberations on ways and means for strengthening healthcare partnerships and consolidating the gains already recorded.
