By Obianuju Isima
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Enugu Field Office, are exploring areas of collaboration to strengthen maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services while advancing HIV prevention, treatment and care across Anambra State.
The discussions took place on Oct. 15 during a courtesy visit by UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, to the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
During the meeting, Dr. Okeke outlined the agency’s ongoing programmes, HIV response workplan and priority interventions aimed at expanding access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services across the state.
Both parties examined practical strategies for improving access to essential healthcare, particularly for pregnant women, newborns, children and adolescents. Key areas of discussion included alternative healthcare delivery models, stronger community based disease surveillance and initiatives to encourage antenatal care attendance, skilled birth attendance and deliveries in health facilities.
The proposed approaches are expected to help bridge gaps between communities and healthcare facilities, encourage early access to maternal healthcare and improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for both organisations to explore ways of strengthening coordination, sharing technical expertise and working with relevant health sector stakeholders to address the state’s healthcare priorities.
In a significant development, UNICEF expressed readiness to begin supporting ANSACA’s programmes in the first quarter of 2027. The proposed support could strengthen the agency’s ongoing interventions and create additional opportunities to advance HIV prevention and care services across the state.
The engagement reflects the importance of collaboration between government institutions and development partners in addressing public health challenges, expanding access to essential services and improving the well-being of communities.
For ANSACA, stronger partnerships remain important to achieving its vision of an AIDS-free Anambra, with zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
As discussions progress, the proposed collaboration offers an opportunity to strengthen community level interventions and improve access to healthcare for women, children, adolescents and other vulnerable populations across the state.
Obianuju Isima is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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