The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has expanded its Workplace HIV Outreach Initiative to Chiben Leisure, formerly Hilton Leisure Hotel, Awka, as part of efforts to promote HIV prevention and a healthier, more productive workforce across Anambra State.

The outreach, held on September 11 and led by the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, provided workers with free HIV testing, hepatitis B and C screening, malaria testing, blood pressure checks and HIV prevention education.

Speaking during the exercise, Okeke said ANSACA is deliberately taking HIV prevention and other essential health services directly to workplaces, recognising that workers may not always have the opportunity to access these services routinely.

“A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. We are taking HIV awareness, testing and prevention services directly to workplaces so that workers can know their status, access accurate information and take charge of their health,” he said.

He noted that the Chiben Leisure exercise is ANSACA’s third workplace outreach, following previous interventions at the State Secretariat and another organisation.

Okeke commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, for providing the enabling environment for ANSACA to expand HIV prevention services across communities and workplaces.

He encouraged companies, hotels, industries, banks, markets and other organisations across Anambra State to partner with ANSACA to provide workplace HIV sensitisation, testing and preventive health services for their employees.

ANSACA’s message remains clear: Healthy Workers. Productive Workplaces. Zero New HIV Infections.

Immaculate Ejike
Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA).