By Obianuju Isima
The Executive Director and Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, has disclosed that Anambra State has recorded a major milestone in the integration of HIV services into its health insurance scheme, with 10,384 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) now enrolled through the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).
Dr. Okeke made the disclosure on June 30 during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by ANSACA to review progress, strengthen collaboration and develop strategies for expanding access to HIV services through the state’s health insurance programme.
He noted that the achievement reflects the state’s commitment to improving access to quality, affordable and uninterrupted healthcare for people living with HIV, while positioning Anambra as one of the leading states in the integration of HIV services into health insurance.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the state’s progress, describing the initiative as a significant step towards ensuring sustainable HIV care, calling for strengthened implementation, increased enrollment and sustained collaboration to consolidate the gains already recorded.
Participants exchanged experiences on the implementation of the health insurance programme, assessed its impact on beneficiaries and discussed practical measures to improve service delivery and address challenges affecting access to HIV care across the state.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to ensure that no person living with HIV in Anambra is left behind, emphasizing the importance of regular HIV testing, early diagnosis, prompt treatment and sustained efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination as critical steps towards ending the HIV epidemic in the state.
The meeting brought together representatives of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, the Primary Health Care by Foundation and the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA).
Obianuju Isima is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
