The Executive Director, Anambra State Aids Control Agency, ANSACA, Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, says the agency is working tirelessly to ensure reduction of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state.
Health Correspondent, Chibuzor Okoye, reports that Mr. Ementa made this known during reconstitution and inauguration of Anambra State HIV/AIDS Prevention Technical Working Group in Awka.
The committee comprises of implementing partners, Network of People Living with HIV, Local Government Action Committee on AIDS, officials of the Ministry of Health, Children and Women Affairs, Civil Society Organizations, among others.
Inaugurating the committee, Mr. Ementa, who regretted the high level of HIV prevalence and transmission in the state, said that they decided to rejig the committee in order to bring in fresh minds from all walks of life, who will help to strengthen prevention of the disease in Anambra, as well as intervention they are rolling out to control the spread of HIV epidemic in the state.
The ANSACA boss said that the committee would help to bring about behavioral change in communication and awareness creation, so as to stop the spread of new virus, address gender issues and promote the use of condom, as well as eradicate stigmatization.
Speaking on behalf of the implementing partners, the Anambra state Resident Programme Officer, United Nations AIDS, Dr. Adaoha Anosike, said that they are happy to be partnering with the state government, and urged all hands to be on deck to eradicate the widespread of the HIV virus in Anambra state, as well as for all stakeholders to ensure adequate sensitization of people about the disease.
The Anambra state Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV, Mr. Francis Nwankwo, called for domestication of anti-stigma bill in the state, as a way to end stigmatization, among members.
The committee’s terms of reference include to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS through interventions relating to HIV testing Services, sexually transmitted infections, communication intervention, use of condom promotion, integration of sexual and reproductive health and other relevant health issues into HIV prevention programme, and to provide all forms of technical assistance required for achieving the strategic goals and objectives in HIV/AIDS prevention interventions at the state level.
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