By Uzo Ugwunze
The Executive Director of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, has urged members of the public to rely on verified information from official health authorities for HIV-related updates, warning against the spread of unconfirmed figures and misinformation on social media.
Dr. Okeke made the call on July 7 during an interview with Udala FM, where he explained that HIV statistics should be interpreted with caution because the number of confirmed cases depends largely on the scale, coverage and targeting of testing, noting that Anambra State has intensified community-based HIV testing through several initiatives, including the Moonlight Testing programme, which operates between 7:00 p.m. and midnight in identified hotspots to reach key populations.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at expanding access to HIV testing, linking those who test positive to treatment and care, while providing preventive services such as counselling and free condoms.
He explained that HIV testing in the state is regularly conducted in communities, markets, religious centres and other public locations through approved outreach programmes. Recent exercises, he said, were carried out in collaboration with healthcare institutions and medical students in communities including St. Paul’s, Ogidi, Nanka, Onitsha and Awka emphasizing that HIV test results remain confidential and are protected by ethical and legal standards, noting that responsible organisations do not publicly disclose the identities or results of individuals.
The ANSACA boss said that any organisation intending to carry out HIV-related programmes in government institutions or public facilities in Anambra State must obtain approval from ANSACA or the State Ministry of Health to ensure proper coordination, quality assurance and compliance with national guidelines.
Speaking on the state’s HIV response, Dr. Okeke said HIV remains a significant public health concern despite remarkable advances in prevention and treatment, observing that the COVID-19 pandemic diverted public attention and health resources from HIV, slowing awareness campaigns and affecting service delivery in many communities.
He identified adolescents and young people as a priority group for prevention efforts, pointing to social, economic and behavioural factors that increase their vulnerability to HIV infection, stressing the need for stronger parental involvement, community participation, school-based education and sustained youth-focused awareness campaigns to discourage risky behaviours and prevent new infections.
Dr. Okeke disclosed that Anambra State is supporting the implementation of the National HIV Prevention Plan, which focuses on reaching young people with age-appropriate HIV prevention education before they become exposed to high-risk behaviours, expressing optimism that sustained awareness, expanded testing, early diagnosis and prompt treatment would significantly reduce new HIV infections and strengthen the state’s efforts to eliminate HIV as a public health threat.
He reaffirmed that the fight against HIV requires the collective commitment of government, healthcare workers, educational institutions, faith-based organisations, community leaders, civil society groups and residents. According to him, increased public awareness, wider access to HIV testing and early treatment remain critical to achieving an HIV-free Anambra State.
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