The Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has announced plans to launch a health-focused initiative aimed at strengthening HIV prevention, awareness, testing, and stigma reduction efforts in the state.
The announcement came during an advocacy visit by the management of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), led by its Executive Director, Dr Nkem Okeke, who presented the agency’s State Strategic Transformation and Sustainability Plan (SSTSP) for 2026–2028.
The three-year strategic plan outlines Anambra State’s roadmap for advancing HIV prevention, treatment, advocacy, and community engagement, to achieve an AIDS-free society and support Nigeria’s efforts to meet global HIV control targets.
During the meeting, Dr Okeke briefed the First Lady on progress recorded by the agency, highlighting achievements in HIV prevention, testing services, stakeholder engagement, and community-based interventions across the state.
He also commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his administration’s support for healthcare development and commitment to strengthening the state’s HIV response framework.
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In her response, Dr Soludo, founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, reaffirmed her commitment to partnering with ANSACA to expand public health education and improve access to HIV-related services.
She said HIV prevention, awareness campaigns, testing, stigma reduction, and care support would be integrated into the Healthy Living platform, which is expected to be formally inaugurated in the coming months.
“Our discussions focused on building a strong partnership between ANSACA and the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative to deepen public education, promote regular testing, combat stigma and encourage healthier lifestyle choices among our people,” she said.
The First Lady noted that despite progress made in addressing the HIV epidemic, Anambra remains among the states with the highest HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria, stressing the need for sustained awareness and community engagement.
“The reality before us calls for deliberate and strategic actions. There is an urgent need for sustained awareness, community engagement and collective responsibility in addressing the challenge,” she said.
According to her, the initiative will complement ongoing efforts to achieve zero new HIV infections by 2030, in line with targets set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
She emphasised that effective HIV control requires collaboration among government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and local communities.
“The fight against HIV is not for the government alone. Through collaboration, education and compassion, we can reduce new infections, eliminate stigma and create a future where every resident can live a healthy and fulfilling life,” she added.
The ANSACA delegation also provided an update on a toddler previously diagnosed with Advanced HIV Disease (AHD), whose case had drawn the First Lady’s intervention.
The agency reported that the child has shown significant improvement following sustained treatment and support and is being prepared for placement in an orphanage home.
The visit ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening partnerships and expanding interventions aimed at reducing new HIV infections and improving health outcomes across Anambra State.
