Anambra urges families to tackle HIV through open conversations at home

The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) is spearheading a campaign to make HIV a central topic of conversation within families, emphasizing the critical role of open dialogue in controlling the epidemic. Dr. Nkem Okeke, Executive Director and Project Manager of ANSACA, stressed that achieving holistic epidemic control in Anambra and Nigeria requires a collective effort from all segments of society.

Dr. Okeke highlighted that the responsibility for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and combating stigma should not rest solely on the shoulders of the government and healthcare professionals. He urged families and communities to engage in regular, honest discussions about HIV. Such conversations, he believes, will encourage early testing, improve access to treatment, reduce stigma and discrimination, and inspire healthier lifestyle choices among both young people and adults.

"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," Dr. Okeke stated during an interview on Arise News. He reiterated that the fight against HIV necessitates the combined efforts of parents, guardians, community and religious leaders, schools, and the media to bolster awareness and strengthen preventive measures.

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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.

ANSACA remains committed to expanding public awareness campaigns and fostering partnerships to reduce new HIV infections. The agency also aims to ensure continuous access to quality care, treatment, and support for individuals living with HIV. Residents of Anambra State are encouraged to know their HIV status through regular testing and to support the ongoing efforts to eliminate the epidemic.

This renewed push follows the official launch of the "Healthy Living HIV Control Initiative" by ANSACA on June 18. This grassroots intervention, supported by Nonye Soludo, aims to accelerate the state's response to HIV/AIDS and achieve the goal of zero new infections by 2030. The initiative focuses on community health education, free HIV testing and counseling, distribution of prevention commodities, preventing mother-to-child transmission, and empowering people living with HIV. Dr. Okeke noted that Anambra's HIV prevalence rate remains above the national average, underscoring the need for such innovative and community-driven interventions.

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Encouraging honest conversations about HIV within families will promote early testing, improve access to treatment, reduce stigma and discrimination, while inspiring healthier lifestyle choices among young people and adults.