๐๐ป๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ ๐ง๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ
The Executive Director and Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), ๐๐ฟ. ๐ก๐ธ๐ฒ๐บ ๐ข๐ธ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ has called for renewed efforts to make HIV a strategic family conversation, stressing that everyone has a role to play in achieving holistic epidemic control in Anambra State and Nigeria.
Dr. Okeke made the call during an interview on Arise News, where he emphasized that HIV prevention, testing, treatment and the fight against stigma should not be the sole responsibility of government and healthcare professionals. Instead, he urged families and communities to engage in open and regular discussions about the disease.
According to him, “HIV needs to be made a strategic family conversation again, and everybody must be involved in the drive to achieve holistic epidemic control in Anambra, and indeed Nigeria.”
He explained that encouraging honest conversations about HIV within families would promote early testing, improve access to treatment, reduce stigma and discrimination, while inspiring healthier lifestyle choices among young people and adults.
Dr. Okeke emphasized that the fight against HIV requires the collective efforts of parents, guardians, community and religious leaders, schools, the media and other stakeholders to raise awareness and strengthen preventive measures.
He reaffirmed ANSACA’s commitment to expanding public awareness campaigns and deepening partnerships aimed at reducing new HIV infections while ensuring that people living with HIV have continued access to quality care, treatment and support.
He urged residents of Anambra State to know their HIV status through regular testing and support ongoing efforts to eliminate the epidemic in the state and across the country.
By Obianuju Isima
Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
