The Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called for increased investment, stronger collaboration and sustained commitment to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis in the state.
Dr Soludo made the call at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Syphilis held in Awka. The meeting was organised by the Anambra State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Trinity Healthcare Foundation and other development partners.
She said preventing the transmission of the diseases from mothers to their babies remains critical to safeguarding families and improving child health outcomes, stressing that early testing, treatment and proper antenatal care can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
According to her, the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative has consistently promoted preventive healthcare, noting that investing in prevention is more cost-effective and impactful than managing the long-term consequences of disease.
The governor’s wife also highlighted the state government’s free antenatal care programme, describing it as a strategic intervention designed to ensure that pregnant women have access to quality healthcare services irrespective of their financial status. She said thousands of women are already benefiting from screening and preventive services for HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis.
Dr Soludo urged healthcare workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and communities to intensify efforts towards achieving the state’s triple elimination target.
“The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis is achievable, affordable and necessary if stakeholders renew their commitment to building healthier mothers, healthier babies and healthier communities,” she said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said although Anambra had recorded progress in HIV prevention and testing, more work was needed to identify undiagnosed cases, strengthen treatment access and improve health outcomes. He added that the state’s free antenatal care programme provides an effective platform for integrating screening, prevention and treatment services for the three diseases.
In a goodwill message, the Anambra State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Bonos Mohammed, underscored the importance of political commitment and sustained partnerships in achieving the triple elimination agenda, assuring stakeholders of the organisation’s continued technical support. Representing the National Coordinator and Director of NASCP, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, Dr Chioma Ukanwa urged stakeholders to develop concrete action plans with measurable timelines.
Also speaking, the State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr Tonia Mbagwu, revealed that 20 pregnant women tested positive for Syphilis out of 85,802 screened, while 117 positive cases of Hepatitis B were recorded among 62,971 pregnant women tested in the state. She called for expanded prevention programmes, targeted testing, increased domestic funding and stronger partnerships, while development partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Anambra State’s efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis.
