NOA, WHO Join Forces to Curb HIV/AIDS Spread in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Anambra State Directorate, and the World Health Organization (WHO), Anambra State Office, have agreed to strengthen collaboration and grassroots awareness campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Anambra State.

The partnership was disclosed by the State Director of NOA, Barr. Lady Ifeoma Chijioke, during a visit by her management team to the WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, at his office in Awka.

Chijioke expressed concern over the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, stressing the need for intensified public enlightenment, particularly at the grassroots.

According to her, available statistics indicate that Benue State has the highest HIV prevalence in the country, followed by Cross River State, while Anambra ranks fifth.

“My concern is that some health workers are complaining about the non-availability of funds. Most of our people have died out of ignorance due to lack of awareness creation at the grassroots by the concerned authorities,” she said.

She explained that NOA was prepared to deploy its ongoing Community Engagement Programme across the 788 communities in Anambra to educate residents on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and the dangers associated with the disease.

“NOA is ready to partner with WHO in the fight against this scourge in the State. All we are asking for is for you to make your educational materials available to our Agency for our awareness programmes in every part of the State,” Chijioke said.

Receiving the NOA delegation, the WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, described the visit as timely, noting that stronger collaboration among relevant stakeholders was essential to reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Mohammed urged the NOA leadership in Anambra to develop a functional work plan that would provide a clear framework for the partnership and ensure that HIV/AIDS prevention messages reach communities across the state.

He also commended NOA for its commitment to grassroots mobilisation and public enlightenment.

Mohammed disclosed that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo had established an agency responsible for HIV/AIDS management in the state, noting that its mandate complements the responsibilities of NOA and other stakeholders involved in public health advocacy.

He said closer coordination among the agencies would help strengthen awareness campaigns and improve the reach and impact of HIV/AIDS interventions across Anambra.

The proposed collaboration is expected to leverage NOA’s extensive grassroots engagement network and WHO’s technical expertise and educational resources to promote accurate information, prevention and access to appropriate HIV/AIDS services across the state.

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