Anambra Firstlady Inaugurates Local Govt Coordinators for Healthy Living HIV Control Initiative

..as ANSACA Targets Zero New HIV Infection in Anambra by 2030

By Uzo Ugwunze

Wife of the Governor, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo has inaugurated 42 persons as Coordinators for Healthy Living HIV control initiative(HLHCI) across the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra to drive the message of HIV response to the grassroots.

Presenting his address during the inauguration on Tuesday June 16,2026 which held at Hilton Leisure hotel, Awka, the Executive Director/Project manager, Anambra State AIDS Control Agency ANSACA, Dr Nkem Okeke stressed the Key Messages – ‘Anyone can contract HIV Infection’. It is not only when you are sexually exposed. If you are not Infected you can be Affected. Stop the Stigmatization. Know your Status. HIV is not a Death sentence, with treatment the viral load can be reduced. Pregnant mothers must be tested to avoid mother to child transmission/infection of HIV.’

“Even if you are not affected be committed to saving a life. It gives fulfilment. This is a humanitarian, clarion call. What are you doing to save a life? For us in Anambra, Solution is here. Together we can build an HIV free Anambra state by 2030, achieving Zero New HIV Infection’.

“Before now, Her Excellency has a very big and impactful grassroot based support group – Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo. What she did was to integrate HIV Control with the existing structure of Healthy Living to drive the HIV response to every community.

“Unfortunately, Anambra State has the highest number of HIV prevalence in the South East of Nigeria and No. 5 in the country with a prevalence rate of 2.4 percent which is relatively high. It behoves us in line with our Governor’s ADTS agenda of Solution 2.0 to embark on serious sensitization awareness, critical testing in line with UNAIDS 95:95:95. We have developed a work plan to achieve a zero new HIV Infection by 2030,” said Okeke.

Dr Okeke after thanking the Implementing Partners for providing for providing test kits, preventive commodities like condoms and lubricants solicited for support and commitment from the private sectors and individuals saying that ANSACA intends to among other projects empower People living with HIV by building a special skill acquisition center for them, lamenting that employers of labour do discriminate PLHIV by refusing to employ applicants who tested HIV positive despite meeting the job qualification requirements.

Inaugurating the 42 LGA Coordinators, The wife of the Governor, ably represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike after tasking the coordinators to be devoted and committed to the HIV response sensitization project reminded Ndi Anambra that there is free ASHIA health insurance registration for people living with HIV urging more people to come forward for testing and treatment. “Anambra HIV prevalence number is high because Anambra people agree to be tested as a result of effective sensitization and awareness campaigns”.

“Anambra State is one of the 8 states in Nigeria benefiting from the HIV preventive injection, the first of its kind globally. We are still on the pilot scheme. The HIV preventive injection is for free as soon it commences fully.

One of the partners, Sir Okwy Maduekwe who also represented another partner, Senator Stella Odua, the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA party candidate for Anambra North congratulated the LGA Coordinators who accepted to be part of Solution 2.0 advising them to be committed to the humanitarian service which would eventually be rewarded by Man and God.

Highlights of the event include the Symbolic signing of the ‘Zero New HIV Infection by 2030 Commitment Charter’, proper Oath taking for secrecy by 42 LGA Coordinators, Partnership Commitment and Support, Good will messages from Implementing Partners& Sponsors like WHO, UNICEF, etc.

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