The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has extended its Healthy Workplace Compliance Initiative to Nwoke Udi Palmwine Bar in Awka, providing workers with free HIV counselling and testing as well as other integrated preventive health services.
The outreach featured HIV testing and counselling, hepatitis B and C screening, tuberculosis and malaria screening, health education, preventive counselling and referral services.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director/Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said taking preventive healthcare directly to workplaces would help remove barriers to accessing essential services, while encouraging early detection and timely referral.
“A healthy workplace contributes to a productive workforce. Our goal is to bring HIV prevention, testing and other essential health services closer to people where they work, while promoting a culture of prevention and regular health checks,” Dr. Okeke said.
The health education session focused on HIV prevention, abstinence, safer sexual practices and the correct and consistent use of male and female condoms.
Workers were encouraged to know their HIV status, with those who tested positive linked to appropriate care and treatment, while those who tested negative received guidance on maintaining their HIV-negative status.
Dr. Okeke explained that the Healthy Workplace Compliance Initiative goes beyond a one-day outreach, as it is designed to encourage organisations to make employee health, HIV awareness, prevention and access to appropriate services part of their workplace culture.
According to him, ANSACA has already extended the initiative to Chiben Leisure Hotel and Naira Rice, with plans to reach water factories, hospitality establishments, industries and other workplaces across Anambra State.
He added that the agency was strengthening inter-agency collaboration to expand the programme, including engagement with the Anambra State Ministry of Environment to complement environmental compliance efforts with workplace health interventions.
Dr. Okeke called on businesses and organisations across the state to embrace the initiative, assuring that ANSACA would continue to take free HIV prevention, testing, health education, screening and referral services closer to workers and communities.
A major component of the programme is the Healthy Workplace Compliance Certification, which recognises workplaces that participate in ANSACA’s workplace health process and demonstrate commitment to the health and wellbeing of their employees.
The initiative aligns with the workplace health drive of the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, aimed at promoting a healthier and more productive workforce across the state.
It also forms part of ANSACA’s broader efforts to strengthen HIV prevention and contribute to the state’s goal of achieving Zero New HIV Infections by 2030.
