The Healthy Living HIV Control Initiative with Nonye Soludo has been inaugurated in Anambra State as part of efforts to achieve zero new HIV infections by 2030 and ensure that all residents know their HIV status.
The programme, powered by the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), also seeks to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. The inauguration featured the swearing-in of 42 local government coordinators and the symbolic signing of the Zero New HIV Infection by 2030 Commitment Charter.
Speaking at the event in Awka, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, noted that the initiative aligns with the Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Programme through its focus on nutrition, reproductive health, physical activity, and community engagement.
She emphasized that community partnerships are essential to taking HIV awareness messages to every household and achieving the state’s target of zero new infections by 2030.
Dr. Nonye Soludo disclosed that about 11,413 people living with HIV have been enrolled in the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, enabling them to access free healthcare through support from the Global Fund.
The First Lady commended ANSACA’s grassroots awareness campaigns, including moonlight HIV testing exercises, and urged residents to know their HIV status. She also charged the newly inaugurated coordinators to uphold confidentiality, stressing that disclosure of patients’ HIV status violates professional ethics.
The Executive Director and Programme Manager of Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, Dr. Nkem Okeke, explained that integrating the HIV initiative into the widely recognized Healthy Living Programme would enhance outreach to communities across the state. According to her, the initiative is designed to educate residents on HIV prevention, promote access to treatment and care, and combat stigma against affected individuals.
Dr. Okeke highlighted the agency’s key focus areas, including community health education and awareness campaigns, free HIV testing and counselling, distribution of preventive commodities, empowerment and inclusion of people living with HIV, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission through community-based interventions.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka, praised ANSACA for extending HIV awareness efforts to local government areas. He observed that ignorance and fear often prevent infected individuals from seeking treatment but expressed confidence that the campaign would encourage testing, treatment, and healthier living.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the World Health Organization and Achieving Healthy Nigeria Initiative, Dr. Uju Orjiagu and Dr. Udochi Prosper-Njoku respectively, stressed the importance of healthy lifestyles, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and responsible sexual behaviour in reducing HIV transmission.
They reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with ANSACA to increase awareness, expand access to healthcare services, and eliminate HIV-related stigma in Anambra State.
