The Executive Director, Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA), Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, has expressed concern over the state position as the fifth highest in terms of HIV transmission in Nigeria.

Ementa expressed the displeasure yesterday at a two-day stakeholders meeting organised by the agency in Awka, the state capital.

He said that prevalence of the disease is among people between the ages of 15 and 49. He added that the meeting was for stakeholders to brainstorm on how best to scale up campaign to eliminate HIV transmission in the state.

Lamenting the high transmission of the disease recorded in the state, he assured that a lot of intervention was being done to arrest the situation.
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He said: “It is unfortunate to note that Anambra is the fifth highest in Nigeria in terms of HIV transmission among people between the ages of 15 and 49.

“The agency is working to ensure the reduction or elimination of transmissions by promoting behavioural change in both low and high population, increase awareness and sensitisation among the general population.

“We are also working with targeted stakeholders, to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in the state.” Ementa added that there are plans put in place to domesticate the 2014 HIV Anti Stigma Bill in Anambra.

Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, declared that HIV prevention is a task that must be accomplished and sustained in the state.

Obidike expressed worry that the pattern of transmission of the disease has made prevention a bit difficult, assuring that the Soludo administration is determined to give residents quality healthcare service delivery.

Represented by the Director, Public Health, Dr. Afam Anaeme, the commissioner called for more efforts to reduce the incidence of transmission in the state.

He urged the agency to do more and ensure that the transmission of HIV is drastically reduced in the state.
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