The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has launched a new campus based HIV response initiative across 27 tertiary institutions in the state.
The move is targeting Adolescent young people (AYP) with intensified prevention, awareness and support services.
The initiative, known as the Campus Action Committee on AIDS (CACA), was unveiled during the inauguration of two HIV focal persons from each participating institution.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Nkem Okeke explained that CACA adds a campus level structure to Anambra’s expanding HIV response system, complementing existing mechanisms at the national, state, local government and ward levels.
The ANSACA boss acknowledged the support of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, describing the administration’s renewed commitment to the HIV response as critical to the agency’s ability to expand interventions across the state.
He maintained that ANSACA will provide training and formally inaugurate the committees to ensure that their activities align with professional and ethical standards.
The representatives comprise a member of the school authority (School Lecturer ) and a student representative.
The institutions cut across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, colleges of nursing and schools of nursing, including government, private and mission owned institutions.
Under CACA, participating institutions are expected to establish campus committees comprising students from different departments and levels.
With the inauguration of the focal persons, ANSACA is set to commence the next phase of establishing and strengthening CACA structures across the 27 institutions.
