Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike says statistics show that two point four percent (2.4) of Anambra population which is about ninety eight thousand, nine hundred and sixty (98, 960) people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS and are receiving treatment in the one point one eight two zero centres in the state.
Dr. Obidike stated this at a one-day symposium organized by the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency ANSACA in collaboration with the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS, UNAIDS held in Awka with the theme “Communities: Leadership to end AIDS by 2030″.
Obidike maintained that a huge number of HIV/AIDS patients are yet to be reached, adding that stakeholders’ engagement is important so as to intensify the campaign for testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
The commissioner added that plans are on to enroll people living with HIV/AIDS into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, ASHIS to ensure they have access to all round healthcare service.
ANN reports that the World AIDS Day is one of the eleven official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organisation that is observed to encourage people around the world unite and show support for people living with HIV, remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses, and inform people that HIV is still in existence.
